“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth…” Deut. 8:17-18a

Perhaps you are familiar with the animation movie, Finding Nemo. If so, you will recall the hilarious scene where dozens of seagulls are perched or flying around the harbor trying to make Nemo their breakfast. All the seagulls are squawking at the same time, “Mine! Mine! Mine!”

There’s more truth in that scene as a description of our approach to things that we might like to admit. That is likely why people who saw it laughed so hard. We all have a propensity to view life like the seagulls — “Mine! Mine! Mine!”

It’s easy, isn’t it, to forget that whatever wealth I produce by the cleverness or hard work of my own hands is not really from me. God alone gives to me the ability to produce wealth, and with that ability comes the responsibility to acknowledge the Source and the purpose for which it is given. That purpose will only be rightly understood and fulfilled when we grasp the reality of who the owner is of our resources and who is the manager.

To help our grandchildren understand the power and joy of whatever wealth God provides– measured out as He chooses—it is vital that we model for them this principle: “Not mine…God’s! Not mine…God’s! Not mine…God’s!” Our example and our instruction will go a long way to help the next generation avoid seagull foolishness.

This is another area of intentionality in which you make a habit to speaking, writing and demonstrating how you understand the true source of any wealth or possessions you have. Using phrases like, “God has given me____;” “Isn’t God good to give us____?;” “God has allowed me to have this so I can____;” “Let’s thank God right now for what He has given us” or “Isn’t it wonderful how God has blessed you with______?”

GRANDPAUSE: “God owns EVERYTHING. I’m His money manager.” – R. Alcorn