“THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S AND THE FULLNESS THEREOF, THE WORLD AND THOSE WHO DWELL THEREIN.”
— Psalm 24:1
While our world hustles for wealth and possessions, the God of the Bible owns it all.
Notice the comprehensive nature of God’s ownership: the earth, the world and all who dwell in it. While the square footage of earth may be carefully fought for and marked with the names of men and women, it all belongs to the Lord. All rivers, streams, and lakes are his. Every mountain range and ocean front belong to Jesus. His name is on the falling snow, the flying birds, the wandering deer, and every flower of the field. He commands the sun to rise and directs the clouds. He sends forth lightning and numbers the stars. The God of heaven is also the God of earth.
We can often struggle against this reality of God’s ownership. To be fair, if someone suddenly announced to you that all your wealth and possessions now belonged to another, that would be bad news. But it would be quite a different thing if you found out that owner was your father and he is not only fantastically rich, but extravagantly generous.
God’s ownership is good news because men and women, young and old, rich and poor, who confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts that Jesus is Lord are forgiven and adopted by the King of Heaven. Through grace our Maker becomes our Father. The God who owns it all calls us family.
When our hearts believe this our hands open up. We release our fears of not having enough. We learn to receive instead of strive. We freely share the treasure that this world clamors for. We smile and enjoy the good gifts God gives each day without needing to close our fists around them.
The One who owns the earth, the world, and those who dwell therein could never run out of provision. He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will also with him graciously give us all things. (Romans 8:32) This is good news indeed!
O Father, you are the ultimate Owner of everything and the Giver of every good gift. But its our highest privilege to call you Father! Please teach us to think rightly about wealth and live as children who trust you implicitly.
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P.S. I’ve wanted to retool our weekly emails and today is the launch of our new look: the Sun & Shield Newsletter. I’m eager to continue bringing you great truth from God’s word and great content from around the world. Each Friday email will feature a brief article centered on Scripture (like this one!), plus 2 recommended resources, and 1 snapshot of how we see God at work. Please share and forward these emails to others and together we’ll build up a generation of Gospel Patrons!
© 2025 John Rinehart
