POSSESSING YOUR POSSESSION

Possessing Your Possessions: A Biblical Perspective on Inheritance and Stewardship

The concept of "possessing your possessions" resonates deeply throughout the Bible, moving beyond mere material ownership to encompass spiritual inheritance, divine promises, and responsible stewardship. It's a call to actively lay hold of what God has already provided or promised, and to manage it according to His will.

1. The Promised Land: A Prototype of Possessing

Perhaps the most vivid biblical illustration of "possessing your possessions" is the story of the Israelites entering the Promised Land. God had given them the land (Genesis 12:7), yet they still had to go in and possess it.

1. Divine Grant, Human Action: "Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I promised to Moses." (Joshua 1:3). This verse beautifully encapsulates the dynamic: God grants, but humanity must act. The land was theirs by divine decree, but they had to fight battles, cross rivers, and physically occupy it.

2. Overcoming Obstacles: The journey to possession was not without challenges. Giants, fortified cities, and enemy armies stood in their way. This teaches us that possessing our spiritual and physical inheritance often requires faith, courage, and perseverance in the face of opposition.

3. Rest and Inheritance: Once possessed, the land represented rest and a place of inheritance for each tribe and family. It was a tangible manifestation of God's faithfulness.

2. Spiritual Possessions: Our Inheritance in Christ

For believers today, "possessing your possessions" takes on a profound spiritual dimension. Our greatest inheritance is found in Christ.

Every Spiritual Blessing: Ephesians 1:3 declares, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." These blessings are already ours in Christ, but we must actively appropriate them through faith.

Salvation, Righteousness, Peace: These are not things we earn, but gifts we receive and possess through faith in Jesus. We "possess" salvation by believing, "possess" righteousness by being clothed in Christ's, and "possess" peace by trusting in Him amidst life's storms.

The Holy Spirit: The indwelling Holy Spirit is a down payment, a guarantee of our full inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). He empowers us to live out and experience the spiritual riches we possess.

Promises of God: The Bible is filled with thousands of promises from God – promises of healing, provision, guidance, strength, and comfort. To "possess" these promises means to believe them, pray them, and act upon them, trusting God to bring them to pass in our lives.

3. Practical Possessions: Stewardship and Responsibility

While the primary focus is spiritual, the principle also applies to our material and practical lives.

Stewardship, Not Ownership: From a biblical perspective, everything we have – our time, talents, resources, and material possessions – ultimately belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). We are merely stewards, entrusted with managing His resources.

Diligent Management: Possessing our practical possessions means managing them wisely and diligently. This includes working hard (Proverbs 10:4), avoiding debt (Proverbs 22:7), saving (Proverbs 21:20), and giving generously (Proverbs 3:9-10).

Using for God's Glory: The ultimate purpose of possessing any possession, whether spiritual or material, is to bring glory to God and advance His kingdom. Our resources should be used to bless others, support the church, and spread the Gospel.

Contentment: While we are called to possess what God has given us, we are also called to contentment (Philippians 4:11-13). True possession is not about accumulating more, but about faithfully managing what we have been given and finding satisfaction in God's provision.

THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD
GOOD SEED ASSEMBLY

Address: 710 S Kings Ave, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: (813) 451-1634

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