We Own Nothing

It’s 5:40 am, April 17, 2018. Been awake praying, reading, thinking, and sharing what I learnt from my readings and reflections with friends all over the world. Suddenly, a thought hit me: ‘you don’t “own” anything’. Examining this thought in the light of scripture, I found it true. Suddenly I realized my life is not mine (Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture Psalm 100:3). My wife is not mine, neither are my adorable princesses. Nothing I have ever strived for is actually mine. For the first time in a while, 1 Timothy 6:6-8 became more alive to me than ever before. It reads: 

“…true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.”

The world teaches us to be self-centred. Pursue any and everything that makes you happy. More money, more power and thus, a better life it says. But it’s a delusion. Jesus asked “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Mark 8:36-37.

It is very easy to conform to the popular culture of our day. Get more! It’s therefore worth considering what Jesus taught on that subject using a brief but relevant parable as follows:

“Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”‘ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.” Luke 12:15-23 NLT. 

Concluding thoughts:  

Only God can satisfy our longings. We are His—and like any of our human creations, we can only find meaning by serving His purpose(s) for creating us. We are stewards of his world and blessings. We are not to lord ourselves over the blessings and privileges God allows to come our way. Anything we accumulate or have authority over is meant to be used as a tool to achieve His grand agenda. Idolatry is devoting ourselves to the created instead of the Creator.

“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed” (Acts 13:36). Like King David, that’s the fate of all men (Psalm 49:1-20). Let’s honour God with our lives. That’s what we were created for. Be blessed!

Shalom!

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