OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY IS OWNER OF EVERYTHING— EVEN YOU!

OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY IS OWNER OF EVERYTHING— EVEN YOU!

Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine. —Job 41:11

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. —Psalm 24:1-2

            Our Lord God Almighty is self-existent.  He does not need anything or anyone and surely “Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?”  He is the Creator and as the Creator He can do whatever He desires with that which He created, including us.  All creation and everything in this world are His— even those who do not believe in Him, who do not follow Him, who have not called on His Name to be saved from their sin to a relationship with God through Him (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

            Yet our Lord God Almighty desires a relationship with those He has created. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28-30

            Why is it that many people will not come to Him?  It is because they want to be autonomous and they have priorities they see as greater than a relationship with Jesus.  For example:

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”  “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”  Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.  Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”  …The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” —Mark 10:17-23, 26-27

                    For this man, his wealth was more of a priority than relationship with Jesus.  Jesus is not calling everyone to give up their wealth and give it to the poor.  What He is saying is what is more important— wealth or Him.  For this young man, his wealth was more important than Jesus.  His wealth was his god, his religion.  It is not impossible for wealthy people to call on Jesus, but it is hard because there is the tendency, like the man mentioned above, to have their wealth as more important than a relationship with Jesus.

            It is not just wealth that can keep a person from coming to Jesus.  It can be anything that is seen as more important than a relationship with Jesus.  Many times the individual sees themselves as more important than having a relationship with Jesus.  They are the god of their own lives— a religion of self. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw&t=174s

Dear Father, I acknowledge that I am Yours and I am thankful that I have a relationship with You through Jesus.  Now may I live faithfully for You by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  Yes, so may it be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-ZfKMaPJmc