Financial Discipleship - the Bible on Our PartSample

Psalm 115:16 is a good example of the meaning of authority. Authority is typically the right that is given by someone else. A city mayor may be elected by the voters; and is then given the authority of that position. A chief financial officer may be chosen by the employer; and is then given the authority of that role to be in charge of the corporation’s money.

In these examples, authority was given to someone by people who had the power to make that decision. The Lord created the earth. Then, He gave us the authority over the earth (Psalm 8:6). Now, we have the authority of a manager.

He is not a God who seeks to control everything. And that is clear with Him allowing us to govern the earth. He wants us to be fruitful (Genesis 1:28). He wants us to have responsibilities. He wants us to prosper. He wants us to be good stewards of what He has given us (1 Corinthians 9:17).

It’s amazing that, even though it’s all His, He only requires the first 10%. In light of that, we have a misunderstanding that only the 10% is His. But all of it is. All of it belongs to Him (Psalm 24:1).

What does He want us to do with the 90% that’s left?

Yes, He has given us authority over that portion, but He wants us to be good stewards of it. And when He comes to take an account for what we’ve done, how unimaginable would it be to hear the words “Well done” (Matthew 25:21).

We do our part so that He can do His. He doesn’t tell us He’ll make it all easy for us. But He does tell us that He’ll make a way (Isaiah 43:16). If we love Him. If we choose to obey Him. If we are faithful.

(excerpt taken from The Bible on Money, Compass-finances God's way, 2022)