April 3rd, 2025
by Pastor Gary Comis
by Pastor Gary Comis
What does it mean to live a blessed life? It’s not a life without struggles or setbacks—few of us escape those. Instead, it’s a life marked by clarity, contentment, and a sense of victory, rooted in something deeper than fleeting circumstances. We all crave happiness, but too often, we chase it in the wrong places—our next paycheck, a new gadget, a better job, or a fresh relationship. These pursuits promise joy, yet deliver only temporary satisfaction. King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, learned this the hard way. In Ecclesiastes, he chronicles his quest for happiness through knowledge, pleasure, wealth, power, and work, only to conclude, “I hated life” (Ecclesiastes 2:17). His final insight? True, lasting happiness comes from fearing God and obeying His commands (Ecclesiastes 12:13). King David agrees, painting a picture of blessings flowing from God through a life aligned with Him (Psalm 112:1-10; Psalm 1:1-3).
This isn’t about the appearance of a blessed life—fancy cars or flawless days—but its foundation. Over two lessons, we’ll explore three principles that anchor a blessed life. Today, we begin with the first: ownership. This isn’t about materialism or stewardship in the usual sense; it’s about recognizing who truly holds the title deed to everything we have. Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,” echoed by Psalm 89:11 and 1 Chronicles 29:11-13. God owns it all—exclusively, completely, sovereignly. He doesn’t share that position. Our role? To see Him as the Owner and treasure Him above all we possess. Why? Because, as Jesus teaches, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). So, let’s dive into this foundational truth: It all belongs to God.
This isn’t about the appearance of a blessed life—fancy cars or flawless days—but its foundation. Over two lessons, we’ll explore three principles that anchor a blessed life. Today, we begin with the first: ownership. This isn’t about materialism or stewardship in the usual sense; it’s about recognizing who truly holds the title deed to everything we have. Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,” echoed by Psalm 89:11 and 1 Chronicles 29:11-13. God owns it all—exclusively, completely, sovereignly. He doesn’t share that position. Our role? To see Him as the Owner and treasure Him above all we possess. Why? Because, as Jesus teaches, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). So, let’s dive into this foundational truth: It all belongs to God.
It All Belongs to God
Nothing we hold—our homes, skills, savings, or time—is truly ours. Scripture is clear: “The cattle on a thousand hills” are His (Psalm 50:10-12), “the silver and gold” are His (Haggai 2:8), and all “greatness, power, glory, and majesty” belong to Him (1 Chronicles 29:11-13). God shares His abundance with us, but ownership remains His. David’s prayer celebrates this: the heavens, the earth, the riches—all His. We might work hard, pouring sweat and hours into earning a living, but who’s the real Owner? If we’ve been redeemed by Christ’s blood, we acknowledge His sovereignty over every dollar, every moment, every gift.
Jesus illustrates this in the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21). A man’s land yields a bumper crop—more than his barns can hold. Opportunity knocks, but instead of sharing, he builds bigger barns for himself, dreaming of a cushy future. God calls him a fool—not for being rich, but for being self-absorbed. He missed a critical truth: his wealth wasn’t his own. The soil, seeds, sun, and rain came from God, yet he acted as if he controlled it all. Proverbs 11:24-25 warns, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” The rich fool hoarded, and it cost him everything. His story begs the question: How can we be rich toward God? That’s the key to a blessed life’s foundation.
Jesus illustrates this in the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21). A man’s land yields a bumper crop—more than his barns can hold. Opportunity knocks, but instead of sharing, he builds bigger barns for himself, dreaming of a cushy future. God calls him a fool—not for being rich, but for being self-absorbed. He missed a critical truth: his wealth wasn’t his own. The soil, seeds, sun, and rain came from God, yet he acted as if he controlled it all. Proverbs 11:24-25 warns, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” The rich fool hoarded, and it cost him everything. His story begs the question: How can we be rich toward God? That’s the key to a blessed life’s foundation.
Being Rich Toward God
Being rich toward God isn’t about bank balances—it’s about heart posture. It’s living in a way that honors Him as the Owner and pours His blessings outward. Here’s how:
- Seeing Everything as a Gift from Him
James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” Your paycheck, your talents, your next breath—they’re not earned entitlements, but God-given graces. Paul tells the rich to “set their hopes on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). When we see life through this lens, gratitude replaces greed. That bonus isn’t just yours to splurge—it’s His to steward. How might this shift change your daily outlook? - Seeking His Direction Before Making Decisions
Jesus urges, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). When abundance comes—a raise, a new opportunity, an unexpected windfall—our first move should be prayer: “Lord, thank You! What’s Your purpose for this?” Too often, we leap to our plans, forgetting it’s His stuff. Consulting Him aligns us with His will, ensuring our choices reflect His ownership. Are you pausing to ask Him first? - Caring More About Giving Than Getting
The rich fool cared only for himself, stockpiling for comfort. Christ calls us to the opposite—generosity that blesses others and advances His kingdom. We’re not meant to clutch; we’re meant to channel. Philippians 4:19 promises, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” If He’s the Source, we can give freely, trusting Him to refill. Do you find joy in giving, or does getting still tug harder?
God as the True Source
We often mistake the delivery for the origin. Turn on a faucet, and water flows—but the faucet isn’t the source; the reservoir is. Our jobs, savings, or skills deliver resources, but God supplies them. The rich fool forgot this, assuming his harvest was his doing. Solomon chased the same illusion, only to find emptiness. David, though, treasured God above all, and blessings followed. When God is your treasure, security isn’t in stuff—it’s in Him. Everything you are, have, or hope to be rests in His hands. It all belongs to Him.
This truth reframes life. You can plan, work, and enjoy—but if you’re Christ’s, you surrender ownership. The next purchase won’t fulfill you; the next relationship won’t define you. Happiness isn’t out there—it’s in fearing and obeying God. That’s the foundation of a blessed life. This week, examine your heart: Are you seeing His gifts, seeking His guidance, and giving generously? Trust Him as your Provider, and watch clarity, contentment, and conquest emerge.
This truth reframes life. You can plan, work, and enjoy—but if you’re Christ’s, you surrender ownership. The next purchase won’t fulfill you; the next relationship won’t define you. Happiness isn’t out there—it’s in fearing and obeying God. That’s the foundation of a blessed life. This week, examine your heart: Are you seeing His gifts, seeking His guidance, and giving generously? Trust Him as your Provider, and watch clarity, contentment, and conquest emerge.
Reflection Questions
- We’re called to recognize God as the Owner and make Him our treasure above all we possess. Where’s your treasure right now? How does that shape what you chase?
- Who really owns the money in your wallet or account? How does living like it’s God’s change your daily choices?
- Being rich toward God means giving to others, not just keeping for ourselves. How are you living this out? Where could you grow in generosity?
Memory Verse
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1, ESV)
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1, ESV)
For more on this topic, listen to our sermon The Stewardship of Life, Part 4:
Posted in Christian Living, Spiritual Growth & Maturity
Posted in God\\\\\\\'s Ownership, Blessed Life, Generosity, Faith, Source of Blessing
Posted in God\\\\\\\'s Ownership, Blessed Life, Generosity, Faith, Source of Blessing
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