When the Things We Own Begin to Own Us Instead

Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Acts 7:49, “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest?”

Background

There was a show on television that ran from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s called Lifestyles of The Rich and Famous, hosted by Robin Leach. Each week, Leach would take the viewers on a tour of the home of some multi-millionaire, pointing out all the extravagances and luxuries that filled the oversized mansions. He would be sure to mention the cost of the various treasures, as well as what the owner spent on ordinary items that didn’t look so ordinary, like faucets or light fixtures or coasters. After ten years or so of showing the have-nots what those with too much money waste it on, I imagine the show became quite redundant in its showcases of opulence. Perhaps that is what led to the so-called reality shows, where cameras followed around the people living within the walls of indulgence. No longer was the focus on the stuff, it was now on the ones who had the stuff. And sadly, on most occasions, the owners were as empty as the trinkets that they owned. But don’t let my assessment lead you to believe that I spent time watching. I have many vices, but tuning in on these characters is not one of them. However, it would take only a few minutes in front of the television or listening to someone recount the previous episode to reach the same, unfortunate conclusion.

Application

When we swipe our credit card or hand over the cash, we are inclined to think that we now own the object that we just paid for. When we put it in our house or use it every day, we call it ours. The sad reality is, too often the object now owns us. We paid the price for it, and now there seems to be some unspoken level of obligation. As impractical as it might be to go around and label all that you have with how much it cost and how much it’s worth, it’s also not likely that you’ll sit down and record who owns every item in your house. But it might be a good idea. If you could look over a list of all that is within your possession and bring yourself to put God’s name in the owner’s column, where it belongs, then it might affect what kinds of things you continue to put in His storehouse, and how you use the things already there. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t need five more new shirts or another new phone case.

Charge

As we seek Him today, treat God and things the way each should be treated.

Editor Comment: A timely reminder that everything we hold is held in trust. The challenge to write God's name in the owner's column is one worth sitting with the next time we reach for the credit card.