Money myths are all around us.
From “Smart people are wealthier” to “Giving money away will hinder you financially” to “Buy term and invest the rest“. Money myths have a way of making their way into society and becoming socially accepted beliefs without an understanding of the truth.
But there is one money myth that seems to permeate society, especially in the West, where the American Dream dominates culture.
The #1 Money Myth – Ownership
The one myth so many of us fall for is that of ownership. What I mean is that we too often think that our home and cars are ours.
I’m not talking about you having a mortgage and technically the bank owning your home. What I’m referring to is the fact that nothing we have in this life is really ours!
The tendency for many Christians is to think that what we give to God in the form of an offering is His, and everything else is ours – that we can do whatever we please with our money.
This is simply dead wrong. Nothing is ours. Our houses, cars, and clothes are not ours. We may have bought them with money we worked for, but let me ask you – where did your job come from? Who gave you the health to perform your job duties?
Everything we own is God’s. It is only by His grace that we have what we have.
Overcome the Ownership Myth Through Stewardship
The best way to overcome our ownership issue is understanding that we are stewards of what God has given us.
Nothing is ours – we own nothing in this world, we are simply managers.
Let’s ask ourselves, “If everything is God’s, how should we manage the money and possessions we have?”
We already know what the answer is. Jesus says,
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 ESV
You can also check out:
5 Bible Verses About Finances That Will Change Your Life
IRA Withdrawal Rules – When Can You Withdraw Your IRA?
10 Money-Saving Tips to Help You Stash $10,000!
Well Paying Careers: 30 Jobs That Pay $30 Per Hour
Should You Give Money to a Homeless Person?
7 Most Important Habits That Rich People Use to Build Wealth
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so true! We sometimes act like we’re building our own little empires here, but the truth is that none of it will survive us–we’re just using it while we’re passing through. Thinking of it in that way should change how we view and live with our stuff. They’re tools, not posessions!
This is so true! Many years ago, I would worry about someone breaking into my house or car and taking “my stuff”. God impressed upon me through various verses and teachings that all this stuff is HIS and He is simply let me use it. If He chooses to let it go somewhere else, then it is His to do with as He pleases. Talk about an epiphany! Took all that worrying away and freed me up to concentrate on good He is to me.
Thanks for sharing such wonderful thoughts! I have had the opportunity on a number of occasions to speak at our church (to both the adults and the youth group) about this very subject. I sincerely believe that recognizing God’s proper ownership is the basis for everything concerning biblical finance.
As such, I just started my own blog and posted the first article – on March 5th – on the exact same subject. I would love for you to read it over and share your thoughts; http://www.MoneyManagersForOurMaster.com
Kevin, it’s very easy for me to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget that I am simply managing tools, and that they are not my possessions.
Stephanie, thanks for your comment. We so often worry about these things that aren’t even ours.
Glen, thanks for stopping by. I’m glad God is giving you opportunities to share these thoughts with others. Your post was great.