Everything I Have Belongs to God.
- Terry W. Bailey
- Feb 17
- 4 min read
Key Verse:
"But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today." — Deuteronomy 8:18
Introduction: It's Not Really Mine
I used to think I owned things—my time, my talents, my resources. I worked hard for what I had. I earned my paycheck, I developed my skills, and I built my life—or so I thought.
Then, one day, reading God's Word hit me like a ton of bricks: I don't own a thing.
Not my body. Not my money. Not my time. Not even my breath.
Everything I have—every heartbeat, every dollar, every skill, every second of life—has been graciously given to me by God. And if He gave it, I am not the owner—I am simply the steward.
1. God Owns Everything—We Are Just the Manager
Scripture:
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." — Psalm 24:1
This verse doesn't say, "The earth belongs to people who work hard."
It doesn't say, "The earth is divided among those who are smart, lucky, or talented."
It says EVERYTHING belongs to God. Not just church stuff—everything.
Illustration:
Think of a bank manager. He handles the money, but the money isn't his. He doesn't own the vault. His job is to manage it wisely because it belongs to someone else.
That's us. God owns the vault—we manage what He's entrusted to us.
2. Our Abilities and Wealth Come From God
Scripture:
"Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of everything." — 1 Chronicles 29:12
Did you work for your wealth? Sure.
Did you train for your skills? Of course.
But who gave you the brain to think, the hands to work, and the breath to live?
God.
Without His gracious hand, you couldn't wake up, go to work, or take another breath.
Illustration:
A man once said, "I built my business from the ground up with my own two hands!" A wise pastor replied, "Who gave you those hands?"
Let that sink in. #GiftedByGod #EveryBreathIsHis
3. Our Time Is Not Your Own
Scripture:
"All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." — Psalm 139:16
We think we control time, but God knows every second of our lives.
Every hour you waste is an hour you will never get back.
Every minute used for God's glory is a kingdom investment.
Illustration:
Imagine if God gave you 86,400 dollars every morning, but at midnight, whatever you didn't use vanished. You'd make sure to spend every dollar wisely, right?
Well, every day, God gives you 86,400 seconds. Once they're gone, they're gone.
How are you spending them?
4. Even Your Body Belongs to God
Scripture:
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." — 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The world says, "My body, my choice!"
But God says, "Your body, My temple!"
You are not the owner—you are the caretaker.
Illustration:
If someone loaned you a brand-new Ferrari, would you fill it with cheap gas, never change the oil, and let it rust? Of course not!
Your body is worth infinitely more than a Ferrari. How are you treating it?
5. Even Your Spiritual Gifts Are From God
Scripture:
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them... All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines." — 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11
Your talents aren't just for you but for God's glory.
God gave you gifts not to show off but to serve others.
Illustration:
A candle doesn't exist for itself—it exists to give light.
In the same way, your gifts aren't for you—they are meant to light the way for others.
Conclusion: What Will You Do With What God Gave You?
Final Scripture:
"To whom much is given, much will be required." — Luke 12:48
Everything I have—my breath, body, money, time, and talents—belongs to God.
How I use them will determine whether I hear 'Well done, good and faithful servant,' or 'You wasted what I gave you.'
So I ask you: What will YOU do with what God has given YOU?
✅ Will you honor Him with your time?✅ Will you use your gifts for His kingdom?✅ Will you see yourself as a manager, not an owner?
When the day comes when we stand before Him, the only thing that matters is how we use what He entrusted to us.
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