“God owns it all.” This is the theme at the heart of all that we do at the NEXUS Financial Discipleship Center. In every situation, our motivations are clear in the decisions we make as to who is in control. When we live out the reality that God owns it all, we can walk in financial freedom to trust his provision and honor the resources he has given us. This takes shape in every one of our financial decisions as we tithe before we buy coffee or as we save money for the thing God has laid on our hearts. Living out this principle can be pursued through four areas: live, give, owe, grow.

To live in the knowledge that God owns it all, the first step is surrendering our control and entitlement to our earthly pleasures. In action, this surrender can look like awareness of our attitudes toward money and eventually putting structures in place to have a spending plan. Since God owns it all, his word should be referenced to see how biblical financial stewardship looks.  Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” We can live this principle by following a spending plan and spending less than we earn each month to honor God’s provision.

Since God owns it all, our giving transitions from an obligation or nuisance to an honor and moment of thanks. Our generosity flows from the generosity of God. 2 Corinthians says, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”” From the time we start giving to the time we are able to give sacrificially, every donation or gift can be pleasing in the eyes of God.

As we live out our time on Earth, we encounter situations in which we can owe others. It is a good practice to avoid the use of debt since it presumes upon the future and resources God has not yet granted us. In Romans 13, the Bible says, “Give to everyone what you owe them: pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.” It is not a sin to have debt, but if we do owe someone, we must repay them.

Finally, to grow toward experiencing financial freedom, we maintain margin in our spending so that we can save and prepare for future goals. God sets big dreams upon our lives, some of which require substantial amounts of money. If we don’t have a plan for our money, we can lose sight of the bigger picture God has for us. One big dream my fiancé and I feel called to is adoption which can be very expensive depending on which type of agency one goes through. To reach that dream we must have the discipline to remember that God owns it all and has a greater vision than we could ever imagine.

Through each of these four areas, the acceptance that God is the owner and provider of all things grants a new perspective and incentive to release control of our finances. Philippians 3:14 gives an image of the persistence we can aspire to demonstrate; “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Jesus Christ, is calling us.” So in every decision from coffee to tithing to debt to savings, we can experience financial freedom by being good stewards of what God has given us, big or small.