Nothing really belongs to "us"

In 1 Samuel 30, David takes 400 men into battle against the Amalekites, but 200 men remain behind due to exhaustion. After the victory, a dispute breaks out regarding the spoils of the battle. The 400 men who went into battle argue (1 Samuel 30:22, KJV),

Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered.

But David answers (verses 23 and 24, KJV),

Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us ... but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.

In modern market-based systems, it's easy to view our money/houses/possessions as rewards for our hard work. We want to take ownership of those items and use them almost like trophies that testify to our ingenuity.

But this passage from 1 Samuel serves to remind that, whatever we have, and however we came about possessing it, it ultimately came from, and belongs to, God. And as such, it doesn't really belong to us, but should be used for the betterment of others.

This lack of covetousness is difficult; our brains want to covet! But we can train ourselves through diligent, and never-ceasing, prayer.