There is little doubt that a major issue on many people’s minds lately is the economy. In the last several years we have seen the consequences of abuse and misuse—basically really bad money management. Unfortunately, it is not a problem only in our government, but in our own homes as well. We are plagued by the disastrous results of corporate and consumer greed. One such result is that there has been a change in our mindset from: America is the place where you can work to change your life one day, to: America is the place where you deserve a better life today.

Herein lies the root of our personal and national economic woes: we have an entitlement problem. Freedom in America was once a gift fought long and hard for, now we deserve it. The American Dream was once an ideal one could labor a lifetime for, now we deserve it. We no longer have to work long (if at all!) for anything, everything should simply be given to us because we live in America.

So, how much do we deserve? The Bible says that the current wages of sin, or what we sinners deserve, is death (Romans 6:23). In fact, the last part of that verse tells us the only reason we can have hope: God offers us a gift of eternal life through His son Jesus. We don’t deserve anything; anything we have would be a gift. In fact, James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift we have comes from God. If we have anything good, we’ve received a gift from God! This is the Heavenly Dream: you don’t get what you deserve, you get God’s gift.

But, since a gift is not earned or purchased, how much of what we have crammed in our homes is truly ours? What does the Bible say?

God says that every beast and bird—all of creation, in fact—is His (Psalm 50:10–12). This is pretty clear. He created the animals, so it makes sense that they are all His, right? But God doesn’t stop there. In Isaiah 43:1 He reminds us that we are His. Sometimes we forget this. Too often we live our lives as though we created ourselves. We do not live as though our lives are God’s and not our own. Yet, this is not something God takes lightly. In fact, in Deuteronomy 14:2, he calls us His “treasured possession.” God values the fact that we are His!

What about everything else? In Haggai 2:8, God tells us that the silver and gold is His. Thus, everything that can make us wealthy is His too. Most people will quickly suggest that the money they bring home every paycheck is hard-earned money and not a gift. Besides, what about all my hard work? “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 power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:17, 18, emphasis mine). According to this, even the ability to work hard and bring home the paycheck is a gift given to us from God. He gives us strength and ability to work.

What about those great ideas I had for that invention or the understanding I possess that got me that raise? Those were my ideas right? It was my dedicated work that brought on understanding, wasn’t it? This is what Job 12:13 says: “To God belongs wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His.” Even wisdom and understanding are God’s. All of this great technology we enjoy comes not from our own great understanding, but from God.

Just to make sure there’s no confusion, God says in Job 41:11, “…Everything under heaven belongs to me.” Everything. How much does that leave us? Nothing.

What does this all mean? I think Ecclesiastes 5:19 explains it well: “Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.” All of the possessions we enjoy, and all of the money we make is a gift. Yes, God provides us with what we need in life, but he also gives us the ability to have more than we need. Since God is giving us from what is His, we become managers or stewards of His things rather than owners. Does this make a difference? It sure does. According to Jesus, God has entrusted us with His wealth, wisdom, and power to do His work and take care of His people. Therefore, the more He blesses us, the more He expects from us (see His parable in Luke 12:42–46).

You see, we are not entitled to anything—everything is God’s and all we have is a gift from Him. Therefore, we don’t have anything to offer God (except our will). We cannot “give” God money—it is already His. We cannot give God time—it is already His. We cannot “give” God anything if everything is already His, we can only give back. So, we give money back to Him, and give our time back to Him, and give our life back to Him. We are to live with the understanding that everything we have, including our very lives, is a gift from God. And with this understanding, would we waste our money, time, energy on the same things?

God has blessed us with so much. Have we been thankful? Have we been faithful? Have we taken care of His work and His people? Or are we living carelessly with God’s things? There will be a day when our Master comes back to see how we have managed what He has given us. Will He find in us faithful stewards?