“He had everything, but he possessed nothing.” – The Pursuit of God, AW Tozer
This phrase was referring to Abraham after he was tested to sacrifice his son Isaac. This statement is deeply profound if, when you read it, you allow God to speak to you.
Spend a few minutes with God and see what He says about it. Here is what I heard Him say. Make a list of everything you have. I did this briefly and listed my wife, family, friends, church, clothes, food, technology, money, church, transportation, toys, home, job, and more. Then He asked me who owns these things? Possess means to own. If you truly own something, it can’t be taken away from you. What did I really own? All the things I listed are things that I have but they could be taken from me at any time.
I was left possessing nothing but having everything. At first a sadness appeared, then a joy followed as I realized I was free from the stress that comes from protecting, hoarding, or being overly emotionally attached to these things I thought I owned. When we own things, they not only take up a part of our physical ability to manage, but also our emotional being as well. We don’t even realize that we are connected so tightly until something we own is gone.
God showed Abraham this by asking him to sacrifice his son.
God is not saying we can’t love, care for, or even enjoy, the things or people we have in our lives, but we need to recognize that we own nothing. All we have is God’s. We are to be His stewards.
What I found the minute I understood the difference between owning and having, was relief, joy, and peace. For a brief moment, I felt my heart was totally emptied and room for more of God was made available. Changing my thinking is also changing my seeing. I am now starting to look at my list of things I thought I owned differently.
Do you see the slight differences? When you don’t own something, the responsibility shifts from you to the real owner, God. My car, for example. I now see I have it but don’t own it. I will be a good steward and take care of it, but should it go away it is now up to God to replace it as He deems to do so. He knows my need for transportation, so I can trust that He will indeed replace it or provide other means.
So, what are we to do with this newfound freedom? We can use this time to draw near to God. By doing so we will be free to be used by Him. The things we have are now available as well to be used for His glory.
One test you can take to see how you are faring in understanding this profound thinking is this. Take something from the list you made and give it away. The harder it is to give away will show you how much you think you own it.
Just a Thought…
