We are stewards or caretakers of all the blessings and gifts God bestows upon us. Some, who have not heard the voice of God, assert, "I earned this money, I worked hard for it, it is mine." But who has supplied you with health and understanding, both of which are needed to earn the money you claim? We have nothing which has not been given to us.

Sometimes I am able to see a picture in my mind’s eye of heaven; in my mind’s eye I see the Lamb of God upon the throne and great throngs of saints are "casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea." Oh, when we see a picture of Holy God, how else can we respond, but to bow down and refuse to keep anything "earned?" We have done no good thing but that which He has worked it in us.

So, we have nothing that He has not given us, and we have done no good thing that He has not worked in us.

It is an important point – When we come to Jesus, recognizing His incredible gift of salvation, the price He paid so that we might receive it, it is only reasonable for us to long to give Him ourselves and all of "our" possessions. We come to Him, we become His, and everything we have is His as well.

So, what do we do with each paycheck? We seek how best to worship God with it. We ask in prayer, "Father, how should we distribute these funds?"

I usually pay the mortgage and utilities, and follow though on the "promises" I’ve made. I pay the companies from whom I have borrowed. I ask the Father to forgive me for borrowing. I believe borrowing is an attempt to circumvent the direction of God, which would be to wait—it would have been better if I had decided against the purchase, trusting that God, who owns all the cattle on a thousand hills, to direct me to His more excellent plan.

But, since I have borrowed, I pay my bills, how else can I be a witness to the world? A close friend of mine suggests that following the rule of "put 10% into the offering plate," even it you are not able to pay what you have promised in a loan agreement, is not satisfying the "tithing obligation." It is cheating the one who has loaned you the money.

It is a painful thing to realize and live through the consequences of poor stewardship of the resources God has already given us. But I thank God that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

If you are in a financial condition where you have made promises that you cannot keep, it is not too late to invite God into this area of you life. Surrender. Surrender all. Take an inventory; find out whom you owe, how much, and at what interest. Take your inventory to God in prayer. Receive forgiveness. Ask God how He wants you to proceed. I recommend selling stuff. I recommend cutting your food budget. Cancel cable TV and cancel the newspaper. Sell the big car, you do not need your pride and you do not need your status symbol. I do not recommend spending money on lottery tickets or playing Bingo as a means to meet your debt obligations.

But mostly, everyday, learn to walk with the Father, asking Him to direct you as to how to spend the resources He has placed in your care. Ask Him what to give and who to give it to. Ask Him where to volunteer. You are His, have no fear! He forgives and He will take care of you.