The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.
Psalm 24:1
Wise people understand the difference between the owner and the manager, the owner and the steward. Wise people understand that the manager owns nothing, that everything belongs to the owner, that the manager is only there to take care of the owner’s property.
When it comes to things in my charge, things in my possession, things in my life, I am manager not owner. It all belongs to God.
It all belongs to God for a very simple reason: He made it. He made it all. He made the world and everything in it. He made the universe.
It all belongs to God. Sun and stars. Oceans and mountains. Trees and flowers. Birds and fish. You and me. It all belongs to God.
All that I have does not actually belong to me. It belongs to God. I am steward, not owner. God’s the boss; I’m the servant. I take care of God’s things, not my things. Money, house, car, retirement account, health, body, abilities – all that I have belongs to God.
I am God’s servant, holding things lightly, living for eternity, representing my King, desiring only to please him, traveling light and free.
Wise people understand the difference between the owner and the manager.