What do you own?

Early last year, Carol and I were visiting my cousin and his wife (Jim and Paula) in Southern California. One morning as we were taking out the trash, I stopped and said, "Jim, my car's gone." Jim said, "No, you parked it right over ... Oh no! It is gone!"

Now, I wouldn't blame you if you don't believe me, but I didn't get upset. Why? When Carol and I purchased the Envoy, we dedicated it to the Lord. And as we make the payments with the income God helps us earn, we use the car for God's purposes. To put it bluntly, we don't own the car -- God does. However, as steward of the vehicle, I was obligated to find it. So we called OnStar.

Within 10 minutes OnStar located the vehicle. Apparently someone claimed that we were illegally parked (we were not) and the car was towed away. Cousin Jim drove us to where the car was stored and we retrieved it. I am not the most mature Christian on earth, but I'm wondering -- did the Lord arrange this to test the depth of my relationship with and trust in Him? I don't know, but that is a possibility. But let's look into "ownership."

The verb "to own": To possess; keep control over; maintain mastery over something.

So, what do you consider to be your property? Clothing? Car? truck? Horses and cattle? Your job? House and land? Do you really own these things? You do if no one could ever take them from you. However, our government thinks they own everything. Quit paying taxes and some government official will assist you with their understanding. And don't forget about thieves, landslides, earthquakes, and fires.

So who REALLY owns it all? Almighty God does! God, as the Creator, owns people, animals and the land. Psalms 50:7-11 -- "God says, 'My people, listen to me ... I do not need bulls from your stalls or goats from your pens, because every animal of the forest is already mine. The cattle on a thousand hills are mine. I know every bird on the mountains, and every living thing in the fields is mine.'"

Leviticus 25:23 -- "The land really belongs to me. ... You are only foreigners and travelers living for a while on my land."

Friends, God owns everything. But He wants us to learn to take care of His stuff, so He has given us the privilege of being His stewards, managers, or guardians.

Corrie ten Boom told a pastor some years ago: "Pastor, let go of all the things you think you own. Otherwise, it will hurt when God pries them out of your hands."

How about skills and abilities? First Corinthians 12 informs us that abilities and gifts are given by God. So God retains ownership of the wisdom, skills, and gifts, while loaning them to us.

So, is there anything in the world that we can claim as our own? Yes: we are supposed to "own" (possess, control) our emotions. The Biblical term is "temperance."

Luke 21:19 says: "In your patience, possess your souls." That means, "Endure the situation. Gain mastery or control over your mind and emotions. Don't give in to the problems, and don't be overcome by adverse circumstances." THIS is where our ownership is revealed.

No one can take from us what we truly own! And what we own in this life are our thoughts, will, emotions, and our responses to what happens in life. No one can force us to react differently than how we choose to react. However, we can cave in to pressure, but that's still our decision.

There is nothing wrong with having money and things -- as long as we understand that we do not own them. We are the stewards of what God loans us. And believe me: being stewards of God's stuff greatly reduces the pressures, frustrations, and worries that ownership can place on us. Why? Because God is in charge, and we merely follow His directions.

God did not create robots, so He will not control us. But with God's help, we can own, possess, or control our emotions, desires, and passions; and while using God's things for their intended purpose, we leave the ownership with God.

So what do you own? You own your thoughts, will, emotions, and personal responses. And that sets the stage for owning a clear conscience with joy, peace, and contentment.

-- Gene Linzey is a speaker, author, and former pastor. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.