Any human being alive, including every billionaire around today, are kidding themselves if they think they actually own anything. In temporal terms, they do. Their wealth can buy homes, boats, airplanes and the rich lifestyle which comes with material possessions. But the land which all houses are built. The waters which nations claim dominion over. The airspace which governments control. Everything - they all belong to the Lord.
"For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills". Psalm 50:10
Man has given temporary dominion over all the earth and so far, his stewardship has been found wanting, in general. But many have found obedience in the service of the Lord. The first one who realized the teaching from this verse (Leviticus 3:16) that "all fat is the Lord's" was Abel. Genesis 4:4 tells us that "Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering".
For his obedience, love and reverence for Holy God, the second son of Adam, the first man, was murdered by his jealous brother Cain. But recognizing the Right Kind of Offering to the Lord which Yahweh later would codify the The Law given to Moses, brought until rewards.
Abel's obedience to the Word and Promise of God landed him in the Hall of Fame of all believers. Hebrews 11:4 says "By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks". The fat belongs to the Lord and even without a commandment from God, Abel listened to, loved and obeyed His Creator - by Faith.
TRUTH: Everything - all the fat....that is, even the smallest thing on earth, belongs to God. The sooner we recognize we are nothing and own nothing, in light of the Eternal God, the quicker the Scripture references here will come alive to us.
LESSON: Obedience to God leads to Kingdom Blessings, as we see in Hebrews 11:4 where our testimony, like Abel's, leaves a Legacy of Faith. We do not sacrifice animals and offer the fat or bulls and goats on a burning altar, to the Lord as our offerings. However, He expect those who say they are committed to Him to offering a Sacrifice of Person (ourselves in complete loyalty); Praise (worship to the Triune God) and Perseverance (steadfastness in the face of Evil).
Glory to His Name.
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