February 11th, 2026
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Whose Money Is it Anyway?
A man went in to see a banker about a loan.
Banker: How much would you like to borrow?
Man: One Million Dollars
Banker: That’s a lot of money.
Man: Is that a problem? I could go talk with a bank that has more money if I need to.
Banker: On no it’s no problem at all. We loan large sums of money all the time.
Man: That’s good.
Banker: Sir what do you intend to use as collateral?
Man: Collateral? What’s that?
Banker: That’s property or other assets you use as a guarantee for the loan. Should you default on the loan, the bank would be legally entitled to the collateral to pay off the loan.
Man: Oh, well I’m not giving you any collateral. You can’t have MY STUFF it belongs to me.
Banker: I see. Tell me sir what do you intend to do with this money?
Man: That’s none of your business what I do with my money. I’m going to be a millionaire and I’ll do as I please with my money.
Banker: I see. Sir what type of work do you do?
Man: Work?
Banker: Yes, where are you employed?
Man: Oh I don’t need a job cuz I’m going to be a millionaire, so I don’t work.
Banker: I see, so what do you do all day?
Man: I do as I please. If I feel like sleeping in, I do, if I want to watch TV then I do that. As a millionaire I can do anything I want to.
Banker: I see, sir how do you intend to repay this loan?
Man: What do you mean repay the loan?
Banker: Well you see sir; you have an obligation to give the money back to the bank with interest.
Man: Interest? What’s that?
Banker: That’s the percentage rate we charge you for having the loan from the bank. It’s the amount you pay the bank for the loan
Man: Oh well I’m not going to pay you anything for my money and I’m not going to give any of it back either. My million dollars is for me not you.
Banker: I see; sir we have a name for people like you.
Man: Yea I know—millionaire!
Banker: No sir, you’re a thief.
Man: Why I’m not a criminal! I’ve never been so insulted in all my life; I’m taking my business elsewhere!
So do you think this guy will ever get his loan and be a millionaire? One thing is for sure, if he ever does get the money at least, he’s an honest thief!
Some people treat God like this man treated the bank. They think the material things and money in their possession belongs to them, when, in reality, everything we have is on loan from God. In fact, more than our material blessing belong to him. Our families and even our very selves belong to him.
Many people read Malachi 3:10 and see the blessing God has for those who tithe. But, do you know why God commanded his people to bring the whole tithe to his storehouse? If you read the verses that precede this one you find God asking his people why they are robbing him of what rightfully belongs to him. The tithe was commanded as an expression of the fact that we know that we, and everything we have, belong to him.
The concept of tithing (giving 10% of our earnings) is not just in the Bible. Ancient Kings commanded tithes, taxes, from their citizens as an expression of loyalty to their thrones. This is why we call giving to God, “stewardship.” A steward is someone responsible for the care and increase in value of his/her Master’s possessions. God has given us the role of caring for the material possessions that he has provided to us along with our family members and anything else placed in our hands.
We must be careful to remember that when we are tempted to claim it all our own. By giving generously, we demonstrate his ownership of all.
We continue this Sunday with part two of our series 40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life with a message titled Generous Giving… (Part 2) …allows you to overcome financial fear and worry based on 1 Kings 17:10-16; Genesis 28:20-22; Matthew 6:24. Don’t forget to download your daily devotional app from your App Store with the code givewithjoy. The devotionals are available in print or audio.
Your fellow steward,
Jon
Whose Money Is it Anyway?
A man went in to see a banker about a loan.
Banker: How much would you like to borrow?
Man: One Million Dollars
Banker: That’s a lot of money.
Man: Is that a problem? I could go talk with a bank that has more money if I need to.
Banker: On no it’s no problem at all. We loan large sums of money all the time.
Man: That’s good.
Banker: Sir what do you intend to use as collateral?
Man: Collateral? What’s that?
Banker: That’s property or other assets you use as a guarantee for the loan. Should you default on the loan, the bank would be legally entitled to the collateral to pay off the loan.
Man: Oh, well I’m not giving you any collateral. You can’t have MY STUFF it belongs to me.
Banker: I see. Tell me sir what do you intend to do with this money?
Man: That’s none of your business what I do with my money. I’m going to be a millionaire and I’ll do as I please with my money.
Banker: I see. Sir what type of work do you do?
Man: Work?
Banker: Yes, where are you employed?
Man: Oh I don’t need a job cuz I’m going to be a millionaire, so I don’t work.
Banker: I see, so what do you do all day?
Man: I do as I please. If I feel like sleeping in, I do, if I want to watch TV then I do that. As a millionaire I can do anything I want to.
Banker: I see, sir how do you intend to repay this loan?
Man: What do you mean repay the loan?
Banker: Well you see sir; you have an obligation to give the money back to the bank with interest.
Man: Interest? What’s that?
Banker: That’s the percentage rate we charge you for having the loan from the bank. It’s the amount you pay the bank for the loan
Man: Oh well I’m not going to pay you anything for my money and I’m not going to give any of it back either. My million dollars is for me not you.
Banker: I see; sir we have a name for people like you.
Man: Yea I know—millionaire!
Banker: No sir, you’re a thief.
Man: Why I’m not a criminal! I’ve never been so insulted in all my life; I’m taking my business elsewhere!
So do you think this guy will ever get his loan and be a millionaire? One thing is for sure, if he ever does get the money at least, he’s an honest thief!
Some people treat God like this man treated the bank. They think the material things and money in their possession belongs to them, when, in reality, everything we have is on loan from God. In fact, more than our material blessing belong to him. Our families and even our very selves belong to him.
Many people read Malachi 3:10 and see the blessing God has for those who tithe. But, do you know why God commanded his people to bring the whole tithe to his storehouse? If you read the verses that precede this one you find God asking his people why they are robbing him of what rightfully belongs to him. The tithe was commanded as an expression of the fact that we know that we, and everything we have, belong to him.
The concept of tithing (giving 10% of our earnings) is not just in the Bible. Ancient Kings commanded tithes, taxes, from their citizens as an expression of loyalty to their thrones. This is why we call giving to God, “stewardship.” A steward is someone responsible for the care and increase in value of his/her Master’s possessions. God has given us the role of caring for the material possessions that he has provided to us along with our family members and anything else placed in our hands.
We must be careful to remember that when we are tempted to claim it all our own. By giving generously, we demonstrate his ownership of all.
We continue this Sunday with part two of our series 40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life with a message titled Generous Giving… (Part 2) …allows you to overcome financial fear and worry based on 1 Kings 17:10-16; Genesis 28:20-22; Matthew 6:24. Don’t forget to download your daily devotional app from your App Store with the code givewithjoy. The devotionals are available in print or audio.
Your fellow steward,
Jon
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