We often hear pastors and teachers teach about the 10% that we are to tithe.  But what about the other 90% required for good Christian stewardship?  Have we ever considered what we are to do with that and who really owns it?

In Genesis 14:19b, we are told “God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.” He owns everything.

We are even told we cannot out give God in any way.  “Your, O Lord, is… everything that is in the heavens and the earth…who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You. For we are sojourners before You, and tenants… all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours.” (1 Chronicles 29:11,14-16).

He continuously repeats that point in Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.” And “For the earth is the Lord’s, and everything that is in it.” (1 Corinthians 10:26)

He even gets specific “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,” declares the Lord of hosts (Haggai 2:8) and “For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and everything that moves in the fields is Mine.” (Psalm 50:10-11)

The Remaining 90%

So assuming that we’ve got the 10% is God’s done, have we really thought about the remaining 90% and what is required for good Christian stewardship?  Most of us do not really think about it any other way than what I own and can use personally.  Have you ever stopped to think that it is really owned by God and entrusted to us to use for His glory and the provision of our family?  The verses we checked out show us that YHVH our God owns EVERYTHING even down to the gold and silver.  I don’t own anything…but do I live like that?  I know that I often just purchase something according to my desires.  But that is not how I should live.

The real question then becomes “So how do I live like God owns everything?”  First of all, I dedicate it all to Him and entrust it back to Him coming to the mental realization that it is just entrusted to me.  I can then say “He gave, He takes away.”  I also then seek to use everything I have entrusted to me for His glory.  Am I willing to open my home to visitors?  Or someone in need?  Or do I think “they might mess up ‘my’ house?  Do I take good care of the items entrusted to me as I know they are really owned by the Father?  It is all contained in our heart and thereby our actions.

So this week, I’m purposing to stop and think about my care of the “other 90% and practicing good Christian stewardship.”  Will you do the same with me?

Photo Credit: Dottie Mae