The principle of ownership is a biblical concept not widely known nor applied correctly in our walk with God. Few Christians object to the understanding that God owns everything, and therefore, as good stewards we are to pay a tithe, or ten percent, of our increase to the Lord. The Scriptures also reveal some other startling and important facts. “The land shall not be sold forever: for the land is mine…”(Leviticus 25:23). God also owns the land, and in addition He states, “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 2:8). Apparently nothing is left out. With this understanding, it becomes clear that all people have the responsibility for being good stewards of the other ninety percent that they onerously believe belongs to them.
debt is a curse
Many people today are struggling with huge debt problems. This is because they did not follow the wisdom of God’s Word, but instead turned to the world’s wisdom to handle the other ninety percent of their finances. This is when they walk into trouble instead of walking closely with Jesus. This is true of the individual and of nations.
Why does God speak so strongly against debt? “What? Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). First of all, we must remember as Christians we are not our own, we belong to God. Therefore God does not want us in debt to anyone. Notice what the Proverbs say. “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). For the individual borrower this is bondage!
If you are free of debt that is God’s reward, because debt is a curse. On a national level, God promised Israel freedom from debt as a reward for obedience. “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: and all these blessing shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shall thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store…and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 12).
the uncertain future
All of our plans are based on an uncertain future. While it is good to make plans, be aware that they will always disappoint us if we leave God out of them. We can’t make plans as though God does not exist, because all future events are in His hands. For example, there is certainly not anything wrong with buying a house. In fact, it is a wise thing to do. What God’s Word cautions us about is being sure we have the job security necessary to make the mortgage payments and not buy more house than we can afford. Notice how James cautions us about this very presumption. “Go to now, you that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain: Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For that you ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that” (James 4:13-15).
make God your partner
No matter what we do in life we need to make God our Partner. We can avoid serious calamities if we talk our plans over with God first. Jesus has already shown us His genuine love. He loves us enough to give us the tough advice necessary to help us in this life in all matters financial or otherwise. If we fail to take our plans to God first, and we get into trouble, as many do, it is still not too late to call upon Him for deliverance. David accepted God’s punishment, but he begged God not to discipline him in anger. Jeremiah also asked God to correct him gently and not in anger. God knows us thoroughly and wants the very best for us. We do not have to be victims of circumstance or be weighted down by the guilt of sin. Be honest with God and Jesus, and they will help us turn our attention from our own selves to Them and Their great mercy!
