Nothing we own really belongs to us. The Scriptures teach “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). Reflect for a moment on the sweeping implications of that truth. The ores and all minerals belong to the Lord and everything resulting from their development. All the forests, crops, and even the gardens’ produce are his. Everything that comes from the sea and sky he owns. The “fullness thereof” contemplates much more than we readily give thought to.
The Lord claims much more than the world around us and its goods as his own. Even “they that dwell therein” belong to him. At the risk of being obvious, it includes each of us. Life, yours and mine, comes from God. “Children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalm 127:3). Isaiah, the prophet, instructs that God “giveth breath to the people upon it [earth] and spirit to them that walk therein ” (Isaiah 42:5).
To the point, we own nothing. But we owe God everything. He is both Creator and Provider. We live in a state of dependent stewardship. The Lord endows and enables. We work but the rewards, whether little or much, are from him.
Job is a well-known historical figure whose trials are reported in the Old Testament. He suffered greatly at the hands of Satan who destroyed his wealth and his family. Even so, he understood and acknowledged the Lord as both his Sovereign and Benefactor. “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
We are here on this earth by God’s doing and for his purpose. That includes you, your family members, your neighbors, your employer, everyone. What then is a right response to that truth? At the very least we should give thanks to God unceasingly. If you have life, God gave it to you. If you have a family, God gave it to you. If you have a job, God gave it to you. If you have your health, God gave it to you. God indeed owns all things and all people and he shall bring all men into account for their response to that truth.
The correct response goes beyond gratitude. The Scriptures teach us “thou [God] hast created all things and for thy pleasure they were and are created” (Revelation 4:11). How does God receive pleasure from his creation? His pleasure lies in receiving the glory due unto his name. The Psalmist declares “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name…worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him all the earth” (Psalm 96:8-9).
God deserves and demands a fitting worship from those he has created. However, he is holy and we are not. Our sin prevents a worship that is pleasing to him. But even in this matter, our Benefactor has provided. He has given his Son, Jesus, as an offering for our sin that we might enjoy him as he intended.
We owe God everything, even the payment due because of our sin. It is a debt we cannot pay, but the blood of Christ has paid it all. Accept his offering for your sin. Then he will not only be your Creator and Provider, but your Savior, as well.
From the Chaplain 