4 Reasons We Must Share What We Have

– John Piper

Not Our Money

The Apostle Paul wasn’t exactly talking about money. However, the words he wrote can still apply to this, as he wrote, “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it” (1 Corinthians 4:7)? I doubt many of us brag about our money or possessions because most of us are just getting by. Remember that everything we have is a free gift from God, even the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Not Our Resources

Can you name one thing that did not come from God? You can’t and neither can I because it all comes from God. Whatever we have is not really ours because we’re stewards of what our good God has given us. He will hold us accountable for how we use these resources. If we use them mostly on ourselves, then we will not be as blessed. But giving away what we have to help others enables God to give back to us so we can again give even more to others. That’s called paying it forward.

Not Our Time

Even our time is not our own and has been granted by God. God has determined the number of our days here on earth (Job 14:5). Not one of us knows when our appointed time will come. So why not share what you have today, even if it’s your time? The psalmist reminds us, “And in Your book were all written [and] the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them” (Psalm 139:16).

Not Our Own

Paul wants you to remember that “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19), as “you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20). Since we belong to Christ and were purchased by Him and the precious blood of the Lamb of God, we should ask Him what we can do for others or look for ways to serve others. We are His slaves and eternally indebted to Him with gratitude. Be a vessel that God can use to help others by sharing what you have.

Conclusion

I agree with John Piper saying, “Wise people know that all their money belongs to God.” That includes all of our money, resources, and time because God holds the deed to our lives and we are not our own.