Not Mine

Bible Reading: Psalm 50:10-12; 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

“Mine! Mine!” Raya’s little brother, Sawyer, toddled over to his cousin Jacob and grabbed a toy out of his hands.

“Share your toys, Sawyer,” Raya told him. “Let Jacob play with them too.” But Sawyer ignored her and continued taking toys away from Jacob, who was soon in tears.

“Mom, I can’t believe how selfish Sawyer is. He won’t let Jacob play with his toys at all,” Raya said when their mother joined them. “Sawyer plays with Jacob’s toys all the time. Jacob always shares with him.”

Mom nodded, and as she watched the boys play, she told Sawyer to give a toy back to Jacob several times. “He’s only two and hasn’t learned that it’s fun to share. Unfortunately, we’re sometimes like that too,” she observed.

“I share my things,” Raya protested. She glanced at her mother. “Don’t I?”

Mom smiled. “I’m sure you do, but I was thinking about how our things aren’t even ours in the first place. We often hang on to our money and possessions—and our time and talents—as if they were for our use alone. We forget that because we belong to Jesus, everything we have is His. He gave it to us to use, but it actually belongs to Him, and we should use it in a way that honors Him and shows others His love.”

Raya was quiet for a few moments. “Some of the money I earned babysitting should go to our church offering, shouldn’t it? I forgot all about that.”

Mom smiled. “I wasn’t thinking of that, but it does sound like a good idea. Talk to Jesus about it, and then do whatever you feel He wants you to do. I was actually thinking that I should help with the kids’ program at church, even though it will take a lot of my spare time.”

Raya smiled as she pointed toward her brother. “I think Sawyer is learning,” she said as they watched him hand Jacob one of his favorite trucks. The boys laughed happily as they played together. “I think he’s realizing it’s more fun to play with a friend.”

Mom nodded. “We’ll enjoy our blessings more too when we learn to share them with others.” Molly Matazel

How About You?

Do you realize that everything you have belongs to God? Your time, money, talents, and possessions are gifts from Him. He’s also given you the greatest gift of all—salvation through His Son, Jesus. When you share the blessings He’s given you with others, you’re showing them the love of Jesus and that you belong to Him.

Today’s Key Verse:
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God will generously provide all you need.
Then you will always have everything you need and plenty
left over to share with others. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Everything belongs to God