We humans are noted for using the word MY, especially those of us who live in North America. We utilize MY when speaking of Family, Homes, Bank Accounts, Relationships, Vehicles, Phones, Clothing, Food, Time, Titles, Talents, even our bodies…. and the list goes on and on. We have a tendency to place MY on everything on the planet that can be held. In actuality, WE OWN NOTHING. God’s Word tells us plainly, “The Earth is The Lords, and the fullness thereof, the world and all of them who dwell there in it.” Psalm 24:1. The Lord in HIS kindness has given us assignments to steward the very things which belong to HIM. HE owns everything, and there are no other owners. It is only ours to manage, not ours to own. God claims comprehensive ownership of ALL OF CREATION. The Bible is replete regarding HIS Position on Ownership. How do we as Followers of JESUS get it tangled up and insist on this MY Mentality? Oh, how we are misguided when believing we are owners. Psalm 89:11 reads, “The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours, the world and all that is in it, You have founded them.” 1 Corinthians 10:26 states, “ For the earth is The Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” In Revelation 4:11 God’s Word States, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive Glory and honor and Power, for You created all things, and by YOUR WILL they existed and were created.” Haggai 2:8, “The Silver is Mine, and The Gold is Mine, says The Lord of Hosts.” Colossians 1:16, “For by HIM ALL things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through HIM and for HIM.” Psalm 50:10 reads, “ For every beast of the forest is MINE, the cattle on a thousand hills.” Deuteronomy 8:17-18, “Beware lest you say in your heart, My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth. You shall remember The Lord your God, for it is HE who gives you the power to get wealth, that HE may confirm HIS Covenant that HE swore to Your Fathers, as it is this day.” And let us not forget this in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of The Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So Glorify God in Your body.” So if God owns everything, We own nothing. God claims ownership of ALL of HIS Creation, there are no other owners. Sadly, most people think they own what they do not own, just because they have it. However, God has established HIS Protocol in all of creation. Nothing or no one changes that. It is forever settled. God allows us to be in management. We get to manage the wellbeing of HIS property. It is vital that we get this TRUTH and embrace it, because we are going to be held accountable to HIM in how we stewarded what belongs to HIM. The truth being said is that being a Steward is a great honor. In Life, only the very best and most trusted people are given the task of being a manager of the goods of another. God gives us this gift to be a steward as recipients of HIS redemptive plan. HE has given us honor by allowing us to be managers in HIS KINGDOM. The thing is, to the degree that we manage what belongs to HIM, will matter not just in this lifetime, but for all of eternity. Stewardship of what belongs to HIM is a highly positioned platform. Oh the things that we get the responsibility to manage. It is also by HIS GRACE that HE gives to us the empowerment to Steward Steadfastly. The Word Steadfast means constant, stable, fixed, steady, firm, stationary, solid, sturdy, durable. The Greek Word for endurance actually is steadfast and meaning to abide. When we get it wrong thinking, and then also portraying this false identity that we are the owners it creates other manifestations of the flesh operating in and through us such as competitiveness, jealousy, idolatry, greed, pride, selfish ambition, fear, a judgmental & a critical heart toward others. This is basically on our part a LACK OF LOVE, & MAJOR DEFICIT OF TRUTH. But when We take God at HIS Word and know by HIS Spirit that HE indeed does have Full ownership, it surely does bring peace and rest knowing HE is well able to take care of what belongs to HIM. We can trust HIM, knowing HE is full of multiplied Grace to give us power and wisdom to steward steadfastly and in a pure accuracy for HIM. Dick Brogden from the Daily Devotional LIVE/DEAD states, “A wonderful thing happens at levels far beyond us when we trust Jesus. When Jesus is all our desire, all our supply, and all our wisdom, and we give HIM all our trust, we are well positioned to be trusted by HIM. We do not want to share HIS Glory, we want to see HIM Glorified. Faith most simply defined is TRUST. Not even our crucified life is about us. JESUS must be the center even of our crucified life.” C.S. Lewis put it like this, “Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given to you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His Service, you could not give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already.’ Our Question for contemplation…. What do you need to lay at The Lord’s Feet? Is there anything that you are living as….. or even thinking you own? Have you truly embraced HIS Divine Protocol? As a Follower of Jesus, do you inquire of HIM regarding Wisdom and daily instructions in everything HE allows you the privilege to steward for HIM? A prayer in closing. Father God, We, Your people need Your help. If there is anyone or anything that we have assumed belonged to us…. Oh Father God reveal to us the error of our ways. We can get so possessive of what belongs to You alone. Help us Sir to grow in Grace and Knowledge. Give us Wisdom to steward well with a Pure Heart. Help us not to waver Lord. We need you to keep us steadfast in stewardship. Help us to be people who inquire of You regarding instructions in managing what You own. Help us Holy Spirit. We are needy people. We desire all that You have allowed us to hold for You, to flourish for YOUR GLORY. Align us correctly with Your Plumbline. May we cherish Your Divine Design. Help us to hold YOUR Properties with open palms, that YOU have entrusted us with. Help us Dear Master to represent YOU well & obey YOU unswervingly. We Thank You that we get to know You more deeply and intimately, and for this very cause is why YOU have included us to hold & to steward steadfastly that which is dear to YOUR Heart. We get to walk with Wisdom, Host YOUR Presence, & become more like YOU. We are honored to Steward Steadfastly. Thank You JESUS!!