The Bible and the Bottom Line

Everything Belongs to God

C L A S H Our Economics Bible Economics

“The amount of money Americans spend on fast food in one year could stop world hunger for three years.”

Psalm 24:1,2 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.

1 Chronicles 29: 10-14 Everything in heaven and earth is yours, and you are king, supreme ruler over all. All riches and wealth come from you . . . my people and I cannot really give you anything, because everything is a gift from you, and we have only given back what is yours already.

Leviticus 25:23 Your land must not be sold on a permanent basis, because you do not own it; it belongs to God, and you are like foreigners who are allowed to make use of it.

Everyone is indebted to God Everything belongs to God Everyone is indebted to God Everyone is obligated to share God’s gifts with each other.

2. Giving to God Belongs in First Place

Tithes 10% of Income

First Tithe For the Levites Who served as Priests

Numbers 18:21-24 Ten percent of the Israelites' crops and one out of every ten of their newborn animals belong to me. But I am giving all this to the Levites as their reward for the work they do at the sacred tent . . . . Since the Levites won't inherit any land in Israel, they will be given the crops and newborn animals that the Israelites offer to me.

Second Tithe For Celebration!

Deuteronomy 14:22-26 People of Israel, every year you must set aside ten percent of your grain harvest. Also set aside ten percent of your wine and olive oil, and the first-born of every cow, sheep, and goat. Take these to the place where the LORD chooses to be worshipped, and eat them there. This will teach you to always respect the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 14:22-26 If you live too far away, or if the LORD gives you a big harvest, then sell this part and take the money there instead. When you and your family arrive spend the money on food for a big celebration. Buy cattle, sheep, goats, wine, beer, and if there are any other kinds of food that you want, buy those too.

Third Tithe For People in Need

Deuteronomy 14:28,29 Every third year, instead of using the ten-percent of your harvest for a big celebration, bring it into town and put it in a community storehouse. The Levites have no land of their own, so you must give them food from the storehouse. You must also give food to the poor who live in your town, including orphans, widows, and foreigners. If they have enough to eat, then the LORD your God will be pleased and make you successful in everything you do.

In addition to the Three Tithes First Fruits Partial Harvesting

In addition to the Three Tithes First Fruits Partial Harvesting Seventh Year of Rest

In addition to the Three Tithes First Fruits Partial Harvesting Seventh Year of Rest Year of Jubilee

In addition to the Three Tithes First Fruits Partial Harvesting Seventh Year of Rest Year of Jubilee Interest Free Loans

3. Our Lord Jesus Gave Up All His Riches

2 Corinthians 8:9 "You know that our Lord Jesus Christ was kind enough to give up all his riches and become poor, so that you could become rich."

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me . . . to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” Luke 4:18, 19

Luke 12:33,34 Sell what you have and give the money to the poor Luke 12:33,34 Sell what you have and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves moneybags that never wear out. Make your treasure safe with God, where thieves cannot steal it and moths cannot destroy it.

Your heart will always be where your treasure is.

Matthew 5:42 When people ask you for something, give it to them Matthew 5:42 When people ask you for something, give it to them. When they want to borrow money, loan it to them.

Luke 6:30-35 Give to everyone who asks and don’t ask people to return what they have taken from you. Treat others as you want to be treated.

Luke 6:30-35 If you lend money only to someone you think will pay you back, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners lend to sinners because they think they will get it back.

Luke 6:30-35 But love your enemies and be good to them Luke 6:30-35 But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back. Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.

Acts 2:44 All the Lord’s followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it.

"Boy, I wish . . .

"Boy, I wish . . . I could be a brother like that."

Everything belongs to God. We are responsible to look out for others in need. We can grow up to be a bother or sister like Jesus.

Your heart will always be where your treasure is.