“If I do not express myself clearly, it is either for the reason that having no conversational powers, I cannot express what I mean, or that having no meaning, I do not mean what I fail to express.  Which, to the best of my belief, is not the case.”  - Charles Dickens

I’ll second that quote, and ask in advance that you comment to create discussion if I don’t mean what I fail to express in this post.

The statement I’ll challenge as lacking intellectual honesty, or in today’s lexicon, not keepin’ it real: “Everything I have is God’s, not mine anyway…” or common variations such as “All or my money comes from Him and is His, not mine…” 

First potential misunderstanding - In a deeper, longer-term way, I actually think those statements are true if made by any human, plant, animal, etc.  My point is, we don’t live that way.  Typically, those statements are made to salve our consciences - to claim a true, accurate, statement as a core belief that puts our actions beyond reproach.  The problem is, stating it makes us feel better when it shouldn’t.  Makes us feel good and generous when in reality it should be an indication of how far we are from where we should be with use of our posessions.  And in reality, I don’t think God set things up quite that way in this present time and place.  Let me explain…

Money is my business.  I’m a CPA and a financial advisor.  In that role, I manage money and investments for clients.  I can make the statement: “That money is really my clients and not mine anyway”, and I know what it means.  It means it really isn’t mine.  It really belongs to someone else.  I can take it - its almost as easy as writing a check,  But I won’t get away with it.  It’s a crime.  I would eventually be held accountable, and I would be punished.  Even if I take a relatively small amount for my personal benefit.  Anything at all.  Why?  It’s not mine, it belongs to someone else.

So, when we say our money really belongs to God and not us, then go out and spend it primarily on us, we are not keepin’ it real.

Second potential misunderstanding.  I’m not saying we shouldn’t spend any money on us.  I’m just pointing out the fallacy in a common statement I hear that makes us feel all nice and warm and fuzzy inside, but is really a ridiculously inaccurate statement.  “WHAT’S THE SIGNIFICANCE??? (An aside - that’s a quote from the 80’s - a source any true child of the 80’s should know, and that I’ve quoted before and asked for recognition of… come on, this is fun… who recognizes it?  The all caps is a clue.)  Anyway… back on topic… the significance is that here and now, in this life, time, and place - what God has given us (it does all come from Him) is ours.  Ours to do with what we please.  He’s given us that authority and freedom.  If we really believed it is all His in this time and place, we would be compelled to treat it like I treat my client’s money - don’t touch it for my personal benefit in any amount.  I just don’t think that’s an accurate portrayal of either how we act, or how we are expected to act.

So the honest statement is:  God has given me great blessings, and the authority to spend them either on myself, or for the good of others.  My actions are the evidence of how I respond to that authority.

Why is that distinction important?  I don’t know, maybe its not for “normal” people, but for wierdos like me, the first (not real) statement lets me relax.  Just by stating it, I feel better about myself and my actions and feel free to coast having made that intellectual concept/statement public.  The second forces me to take a hard look at my actions.  To really consider if my life is lining up with giving God the glory, honor, and respect He deserves with my actions and use of the things He’s given me.  I think the latter path produces more fruit.  At least for me…