You shall possess your possession

Do you know that life is empty without possession? Do you know that every human being has something to possess? God created His children to be fruitful and productive! (Genesis 1:28). Do you know that possession is one thing many people hardly take for granted? Do you know that so many people have lost their peace and even their lives because of earthly possession? Do you know there is a divine possession for every child of God? Do you even know that through this reflection, you are about to possess your possession?

In today’s gospel from Luke 12:13-21, a man asked Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” The worst thing that can happen to anyone is to be controlled by earthly possession. In that case, the things one is supposed to own will end up owning him.

People usually think that the more they possess things, the happier they become. “Possession, according to Baltasar Gracian, hinders enjoyment. It merely gives you the right to keep things for or from others, and thus you gain more enemies than friends.” The more things you possess the more you expose your life to danger. Moreover, to whom much is given much is expected.

But does that mean we should not possess our possessions? What exactly are we expected to possess? And how can we possess our possessions?

People have different views on the ultimate possession. For people like Jackie Robinson, personal dignity is the riches possession. According to him, “The most luxurious possession, the richest treasure anybody has, is his personal dignity.” Dignity has to do with self-respect and self-esteem. Personal dignity is the essence of self-esteem and human development.

Sunday Adelaja sees time as the ultimate possession: “The greatest treasure in life is the possession of time.” If time is the greatest treasure as Adelaja declares, I wonder how many people will be able get hold of it, because time waits for no one and we can hardly control other people’s time, unless they permit us to do so.

Bill Courtney sees human word as an ultimate possession that cannot be taken away. According to him: “There is one possession that can never be taken away, as long as you will not allow it to be taken, and that is your word.” What of places where there is no freedom of expression? As for me, peace of mind is one possession, which I believe cannot be taken away without one’s consent. A prisoner may decide to enjoy peace of mind more than someone living in a free mansion.

Our Lord Jesus Christ told His followers, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This is what I call Divine Possession!

A divine possession is a heavenly possession. It is an inheritance from above. It is the possession of heavenly values. Our Lord Jesus Chris also told His followers in the gospel of Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’ God’s Kingdom is our ultimate possession. Righteousness is the path that leads to God’s Kingdom.

God’s Kingdom and righteousness are the foundation of all possession. With God’s kingdom, every other possession is guaranteed. In Numbers 33:53, the Lord assured His chosen ones, “You shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess.” Child of God, as long as you are connected to God’s Kingdom, you shall possess your possession. All that the enemies have taken away from you is hereby restored. You are blessed in Jesus name – Amen!