This is just a part of Psalm 24:1, but it’s enough for this morning. “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof.”

I think David is preaching here that, ultimately, everything belongs to God! The earth and everything in it!

If we Christians could view life that way … we would surely be more “thankful” for everything God “loans” us!

I head of a man who prayed one day right before eating a meal. He uttered words like these: “Thank You Father for letting us breathe Your air! Thank You too Father for letting us eat Your food!”

That’s the idea.

Think of this next time you’re about to give an offering unto the Lord, supporting your Church or that missionary you love so dearly … “O Lord, all things come of Thee, and of Thine Own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 24:14

It was God’s in the first place. We’re just giving it back to him!

And if you’re reading these lines thinking that you’re so wealthy you don’t need any help in this particular area … “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth.” No wealth, without God’s giving it, directly or indirectly! (I just quoted Deuteronomy 8:18.)

Listen to God Himself, unashamedly claiming it “all.” (He is the Creator, you know!) “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.” Yes, the earth and all its content … God’s property!

So basically we Christians are “borrowers,” not owners. James of course was right: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.”

Today as you pray … thank God for what is already His … just “on loan” to you!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, take good care of God’s property! He just might hold us accountable for doing so.

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