The Other 90% Belongs to God
Stewardship and Faithful Living
A common question in conversations about tithing is this: if the first 10% belongs to God, what about the other 90%? The Bible’s answer is that the 90% also belongs to Him. The tithe is not meant to teach that only a small portion is God’s; it is meant to remind us that everything is God’s.
“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1, KJV). That verse sets the foundation. God owns all things. We are not owners in the ultimate sense; we are stewards.
Stewardship Is the Biblical Idea
Stewardship means managing something that belongs to another. In Scripture, believers are called to be faithful with what God has entrusted to them. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2, KJV).
That includes money, possessions, time, energy, and abilities. The question is not only, “How much should I give?” but also, “How should I live with what remains?”
How to Think About the 90%
The 90% is not “mine to use without reference to God.” It is God’s provision placed in our hands for wise and faithful use. That means it should be handled with prayer, discipline, and purpose.
The Bible teaches responsible provision: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith” (1 Timothy 5:8, KJV). It also teaches generosity: “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate” (1 Timothy 6:18, KJV).
So the 90% should be used to:
- provide for your household,
- meet your obligations,
- save and plan wisely,
- give generously,
- and serve God’s purposes.
The Heart Issue
The deeper issue is not just budgeting; it is worship. Jesus warned, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness” (Luke 12:15, KJV). Money can easily become a rival master if we are not careful.
That is why Jesus said, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24, KJV). A faithful steward learns to use money without loving it, and to possess things without being possessed by them.
A Simple Teaching Point
A helpful way to explain it is this:
- The first 10% reminds us that God comes first.
- The other 90% reminds us that God still owns the rest.
- The whole 100% is to be managed for His glory.
This is why stewardship is bigger than tithing. Tithing is a starting point, but faithful stewardship is a way of life.
Closing Thought
When we understand that everything belongs to God, the question changes. We stop asking only how much to give and start asking how to honor God with all that He has given. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, KJV).
A True Story-Paul Newman
There was a time when Paul Newman was known mainly for his talent, his charm, and his success in Hollywood. He was already a famous actor when something unexpected happened that would change not only his life, but the lives of thousands of others. What began as a simple act of generosity grew into one of the most inspiring examples of giving in modern history.
The turning point came when Newman and his friend A. E. Hotchner started making salad dressing in Newman’s kitchen and giving it away as gifts. At first, it was just a homemade product shared with friends. But people loved it so much that it became a business. Instead of treating it like just another way to make money, Newman made a remarkable decision: he turned the profits into charity.
That decision became the beginning of Newman’s Own, a company that has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to charitable causes since its founding. Newman did not stop at one donation or one good deed. He built giving into the heart of the business itself. What had started as a practical idea became a lifelong mission of generosity.
One of the most powerful parts of the story is that Newman’s giving did not make him smaller. It made his life bigger. He was no longer just a celebrity enjoying success. He became a man using his influence to bless others. Through his foundation and charitable work, children with serious illnesses, struggling families, and community organizations all received help because Newman chose to give instead of keep everything for himself.
That is what makes his story so memorable. Giving did not take away from his life; it gave his life greater purpose. His success became more than personal achievement. It became a way to serve others.
Paul Newman’s story is a reminder that generosity can transform wealth into meaning. A person may begin with talent, opportunity, or even abundance, but real impact comes when those gifts are shared. Newman’s legacy shows that when giving becomes part of a life, it can change that life forever.
How One Person Learned to Trust God with Money
There was a season in his life when giving felt like a threat. The man had worked hard, saved carefully, and built a comfortable life. Every dollar he earned felt like a guardrail keeping him safe from the unknown. When his pastor talked about tithing and generosity, his gut reaction was resistance. “If I give,” he thought, “what will be left for me?”
That attitude was familiar, even though it didn’t line up with what he heard in the Bible. If he was honest, he wanted to obey God — just not with his wallet. He could serve, pray, and attend church, but the idea of giving made him anxious. He worried that one mistake, one bad month, or one generous act would derail his carefully guarded future.
The Turning Point
The change came slowly. One Sunday, the pastor read from Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Suddenly the truth hit him: he didn’t truly own anything. He was managing resources God had entrusted to him.
That verse reframed the whole conversation. Giving wasn’t about losing something he deserved. It was about trusting the One who owned everything. He began to read other verses, like 1 Corinthians 4:2: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” He realized his real test was faithfulness, not net worth.
A Slow Surrender
At first, his giving was small and reluctant. He gave the minimum, still worried about what he might lose. But over time, something shifted. He began to notice that God’s faithfulness was greater than his fear. When he gave, God still provided. When he gave again, the trust grew a little more.
He started to see that the real battle was not with money, but with his heart. Money was the battleground, but the issue was surrender. The Bible says, “God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, KJV), and slowly, his giving became less reluctant and more joyful.
What Changed
Giving did not transform his life overnight. Bills did not magically disappear, and challenges still came. But his heart changed. He found himself less anxious about money and more grateful for what he had. He began to see generosity not as a risk, but as an act of worship.
What started as a struggle became a habit rooted in faith. Every time he wrote a check, set up an automatic donation, or gave anonymously online, he was practicing trust in God instead of clinging to control.
A Story for Us
This story is not unique. Many believers wrestle with generosity, especially when they feel they barely have enough. But the deeper truth is that God does not ask us to give because He needs our money. He asks us to give because our hearts need to be changed.
If the idea of giving still feels like a threat — if it still feels like losing something that belongs to you — perhaps it’s a sign that it’s time to re-read the Bible’s first principle: it all belongs to Him. Everything.
Call to Action
This week, ask yourself honestly: Does my resistance to giving reflect fear or faith?
If you have been holding back, try this:
- Pray over your finances.
- Choose one small, specific way to give.
- Watch what God does with the heart that is willing to trust.
Over time, you may find that the thing you once feared losing — your money — ends up leading you to something you should never lose: a deeper relationship with the One who owns it all.
Closing Thought
When we understand that everything belongs to God, the question changes. We stop asking only how much to give and start asking how to honor God with all that He has given. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, KJV).
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank You that everything belongs to You—our time, our talents, and our treasures. We confess that we often treat money as if it were ours to keep, guard, and control, and we ask for Your forgiveness when fear has kept us from giving freely.
Teach us to see ourselves as faithful stewards, not owners, and to view generosity as an act of trust rather than loss. Soften our hearts, Lord, so that we can give not only our firstfruits, but also our time, our energy, and our lives, with cheerful and willing hearts.
Help us to trust You more than our bank accounts, more than our plans, and more than our sense of security. May our giving reflect our love for You and our love for others, and may every amount we release from our hands become a testimony of Your faithfulness.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Discovering the Path of Salvation series by Stephen Luckett
Grow Stronger Roots 