Ownership with a Higher Calling
In our modern world, ownership is often equated with independence, wealth, and status. Whether it’s a house, a business, or a collection of investments, ownership can quickly become a symbol of personal success. But the Bible challenges us to see ownership in a radically different light. According to Scripture, everything belongs to God, and what we “own” is really on loan from Him.
Ownership, in the Kingdom sense, is not about self-indulgence but stewardship. It’s not about how much we accumulate but how faithfully we manage what God entrusts to us for His purposes. This perspective changes everything—how we view our homes, our finances, our talents, and even our time.
Psalm 24:1 reminds us:
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” (ESV)
From the start, God establishes that He is the true Owner. Our role? Faithful stewardship.
Ownership Redefined: From Possession to Stewardship
The Greek word for steward, oikonomos, literally means “manager of a household.” In biblical terms, a steward is someone entrusted with the property or responsibilities of another. That’s us: God’s stewards.
What we call “ours” is really God’s. That paycheck, the car in your driveway, the skills you use at work—all are gifts from Him. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us, “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.”
Psalm 50:10 reinforces this truth:
“For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.” (ESV)
When we realize ownership is really stewardship, the purpose shifts. Wealth, influence, property, and possessions stop being ends in themselves. They become resources to advance God’s Kingdom, bless others, and glorify Him.
The Parable of the Talents: A Kingdom Lens on Ownership
Perhaps the clearest teaching on this principle comes from Jesus in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30).
In this story, a master goes on a journey and entrusts his servants with his wealth: five talents to one, two talents to another, and one talent to the last. When he returns, the servants give an account.
- The first two invest and multiply what they were given.
- The last buries his portion out of fear.
The master rewards the faithful stewards, saying:
“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:23, ESV)
But to the unfaithful steward, he responds with rebuke, calling him “wicked and slothful.”
This parable reveals several truths about ownership and stewardship:
- God owns everything. The master’s wealth never belonged to the servants. Likewise, all we have is the Lord’s.
- God entrusts resources according to His will. Not everyone gets the same portion. Our calling isn’t to compare but to be faithful with what we’ve been given.
- God expects growth and fruitfulness. Ownership in Kingdom terms isn’t passive. We are called to multiply, invest, and use what we have for His glory.
- God rewards faithful stewardship. It’s not about the size of the return but about faithfulness in using what He entrusted.
Ownership for the Kingdom: Practical Purposes
If ownership is really stewardship, then what’s the ultimate purpose? The Bible gives us several lenses to see ownership through the Kingdom of God.
1. To Glorify God
Everything in our lives points somewhere. Ownership is meant to point to the Giver, not just the gift. Paul writes:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)
That includes how we manage our homes, businesses, and finances.
2. To Bless Others
God blesses us so that we can bless others. This echoes the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 12:2: “I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”
Your home can be a place of hospitality. Your wealth can be a source of generosity. Your skills can meet needs in your community. Ownership isn’t just for you—it’s for others.
3. To Advance the Kingdom
Every resource is a tool for mission. Early believers sold property to provide for the poor (Acts 4:34–35). Churches today are planted because faithful stewards invest their finances. Missionaries are sent because business owners see their companies as Kingdom outposts, not just profit centers.
When we steward God’s resources well, ownership becomes mission.
The Warning of Ownership Without Stewardship
Scripture also warns us about the dangers of ownership when it becomes self-serving. Jesus tells another story in Luke 12:16–21 about a rich fool who hoarded his wealth to build bigger barns. Instead of using his abundance for God’s glory, he used it for self-indulgence.
God calls him a fool:
“So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21, ESV)
Ownership without stewardship leads to greed, pride, and idolatry. Stewardship keeps our hearts aligned with the Kingdom.
Living Out Stewardship Today
So how do we live out this Kingdom mindset in practical ways? Here are some steps to consider:
1. Acknowledge God’s Ownership Daily
Start with gratitude. Every paycheck, every opportunity, every breath is from Him. A simple daily prayer like, “Lord, everything I have is Yours. Show me how to use it for Your glory,” re-centers our hearts.
2. Budget With Kingdom Purpose
Finances are one of the clearest arenas where stewardship shows up. A budget isn’t just a financial tool—it’s a spiritual one. Ask: Does my spending reflect God’s priorities? Am I giving generously? Am I stewarding resources wisely?
3. Steward Your Time and Talents
Ownership isn’t just about money or possessions. Your time and skills are some of the greatest resources God has entrusted to you. Are you using them for Kingdom work? Serving in your local church? Mentoring others? Sharing the gospel?
4. Practice Generosity
Generosity is stewardship in action. It’s the antidote to greed and a declaration that we trust God as our Provider. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “God loves a cheerful giver.”
5. Invest in Eternal Returns
Jesus says in Matthew 6:19–20:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
Investing in God’s Kingdom means pouring into things that have eternal value: souls, discipleship, missions, and service.
The Eternal Perspective
At the end of the day, stewardship is about eternity. Everything we own is temporary, but how we steward it has eternal consequences. Ownership becomes stewardship when we realize we are caretakers, preparing to give an account to the true Owner.
Paul captures this in 1 Corinthians 4:2:
“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”
Faithful stewardship now prepares us for eternal joy then. Just as the master in the parable said, “Enter into the joy of your master,” so too will Christ welcome faithful stewards into His eternal Kingdom.
Conclusion: Owning for the Kingdom
The biblical purpose of owning is not about building our own little kingdoms but about faithfully managing resources for the glory of God’s Kingdom.
- Ownership reminds us that God is the true Owner.
- Stewardship calls us to manage what we have with faithfulness.
- The Parable of the Talents shows us the reward of fruitful stewardship.
- Scripture warns against self-serving ownership.
- Our daily lives are opportunities to steward resources for eternal impact.
When we grasp this truth, ownership becomes less about having and more about serving. It becomes a way of aligning our lives with the Kingdom, echoing Jesus’ words:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
May we be faithful stewards who use everything God has given us—time, talents, treasures—not for our glory, but for His.
MARK SOTOMAYOR 