Marriage: God Owns Everything

There is the old joke that in a marriage, "What is HERS is HERS and what is HIS is HERS." That generally gets a chuckle out of people, but I'd like to go off of what our Sunday School teacher shared this am. I'd like to make the motto of my marriage, "What is God's is God's and is ours is God's." Everything we have is God's.

Our Sunday School class has been discussing money and finances. The crux of the discussion is that everything we have, be it money, cars, books, cans of food, children, or health is all God's. Everything in this universe belongs to God.

John 1:3
"All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being." (NASB)

John 1:16
"We all live off his generous bounty, gift after gift after gift." (The Message)

God created everything. All of this belongs to Him. Marriages run smoother when both spouses realize this fact. The money in the family is not HIS or HERS (even if HE or SHE had their name on the pay stub) but GOD's. In lieu of getting into conflict over what to buy, PRAY. Ask God what He wants you to do with your money, your time, your children, etc.

God wants to work in our lives. God wants to lead us. If we are earnestly seeking Him to direct our path in our marriage, He will. He will make it clear. God knows that since sin entered and the world became the playground of Satan, that it is hard. God loves us and He wants to make it a little bit easier. He wants us to have a wonderful marriage.

Yet, God isn't going to just lavish us with everything. God is in Heaven saying, "All that I have, all that I've created is yours my children. But, first you must give me your obedience, trust and love. You must have faith that I'll do what I say."

James 1: 5-8
"If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open." (The Message)

If we do our part, which is to seek Him, believe in Him and love Him (if we love Him obedience will naturally follow) than He is ready to lavish us. Just remember that He doesn't always lavish us with a mansion, a Porsche and 2 beach houses. The treasures He wants to give us are: joy, peace, contentment, love, friends, and a key to a mansion not here on earth but in Heaven. It will be a mansion that lasts forever.

That is where the prosperity gospel that is preached today is wrong. God MAY give us earthly wealth and things that the world deems lovely. But, the real gifts are not bought with dollars, the real gifts are eternal, they are spiritual, and they are far more valuable than any car, painting or address.

What would you rather have: a fancy car and country club membership or a joy filled marriage, Christ honoring kids and a legacy for your grandkids to inherit one day?

Yes, the earthly things may came, and in themselves they are ok. But, they shouldn't be your one and only goal. A joy filled marriage, peace, kindness, and Heavenly treasures will last longer.

What are you building in your marriage? Are you are amassing earthly possessions or are you learning to be content & joy-filled knowing that your vault in Heaven is getting full?

-JP-