## *“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.” -* Psalm 115:16

The verse is a good example of the meaning of authority. Authority is typically the right that is given by someone else. A city mayor may be elected by the voters; and is then given the authority of that position. A chief financial officer may be chosen by the employer; and is then given the authority of that role to be in charge of the corporation’s money.

In these examples, authority was given to someone by people who had the power to make that decision. The Lord created the earth. Then, He gave us the authority over the earth (Psalm 8:6). Now, we have the authority of a manager.

He is not a God that seeks to control everything. And that is clear with His allowing us to govern the earth. He wants us to be fruitful (Genesis 1:28). He wants us to have responsibilities. He wants us to prosper. He wants us to be good stewards of what He has given us (1 Corinthians 9:17).

__It’s amazing that, even though it’s all His, He only requires the first 10%.__ In light of that, we have a misunderstanding that only the 10% is His. But all of it is. All of it belongs to Him (Psalm 24:1).

__What does He want us to do with the 90% that’s left?__

Yes, He has given us authority over that portion, but He wants us to be good stewards of it. And when He comes to take an account for what we’ve done, how unimaginable would it be to hear the words “Well done” (Matthew 25:21).

## We do our part so that He can do His. He doesn’t tell us He’ll make it all easy for us. But He does tell us that He’ll make a way (Isaiah 43:16). If we love Him. If we choose to obey Him. If we are faithful.

When we follow God’s Word, He will prepare us for the battles—and victories—ahead (Deuteronomy 30:15-16). He blesses those who bless Him (Proverbs 28:20).

We must always remember that, to lead, you have to first be willing to serve (Proverbs 22:4). Many before us did it. Robert K. Greenleaf… Dr. Martin Luther King Jr… Mother Theresa.

And the Son, Jesus Christ, did it (Matthew 20:28). What happened with Him? Because He only considered Himself to be from God but never on the same level, His Father exalted Him (Matthew 23:12). And He sits at His right hand.

__When we put our wants last and His will first, not only will our Father reward us by providing for our needs, He’ll also give us our true heart’s desire (Deuteronomy 7:12-13; 2 Chronicles 31:20-21).__

The Lord says if we are faithful in little, we will be faithful in much (Matthew 25:23). And if we are unfaithful in little, we, too, will be unfaithful in much (Luke 16:10). May we be found faithful with little—the 10%. And may we also be faithful in much—the 90%.

Lord, from the very beginning, You knew that the things of this world would tempt us (1 Timothy 6:10). You knew that the shiny gold would try to lure our eyes. You knew that we’d seek comfort in the material things of the earth. How can we be content and do what You will with the money and earthly possessions You have made us stewards of? How can we remember that our security does not come from these things, but from You (1 Timothy 6:17) and You alone? How can we build what moth cannot destroy? (Matthew 6:19-21).

__Give us clean hands and pure hearts, Father. That we do not lift our souls to any false idols. Let us be the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). Let us worship You and not fall servant to the glitter of gold. Let us build our mansions in Your Kingdom.__

Compass helps people worldwide to know Christ more intimately in one of the most personal arenas of life, finances.

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Compass helps people worldwide to know Christ more intimately in one of the most personal arenas of life, finances.

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