Psalm
50:10-12 - '10 for every
animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the
mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. 12
If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and
all that is in it.'
Exodus
19:5-6 - '5 "Now if
you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you
will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,
6 you will be for me a kingdom
of priests and a holy nation." These are the words you are to
speak to the Israelites.'
Jeremiah
27:5-6 - '5 With my great
power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the
animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please. 6
Now I will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar
king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him.'
Psalm
24:1 - '1 The earth is the
LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;'
Deuteronomy
8:17-18 - '17 You may say
to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced
this wealth for me." 18
But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability
to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to
your forefathers, as it is today.'
1
Corinthians 16:2-4 - '2
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a
sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when
I come no collections will have to be made. 3
Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men
you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4
If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.'
Matthew
6:25-34 - '25
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life
more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away
in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much
more valuable than they? 27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field
grow. They do not labor or spin. 29
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed
like one of these. 30
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today
and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe
you, O you of little faith? 31
So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What
shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" 32
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father
knows that you need them. 33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well. 34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'
2
Corinthians 8:1-5 - '1 And
now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given
the Macedonian churches. 2 Out
of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme
poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond
their ability. Entirely on their own, 4
they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this
service to the saints. 5 And
they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to
the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.'