The Only Thing That Is Mine

One of the first words little children learn is the word mine. It’s not just the word either. They learn all the emotion that goes behind it.

Mine!

But as believers we are taught that we don’t own anything. The psalmist tells us  that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and every other animal, as well. God owns everything (Psalm 24:1; Psalm 50:10-12)! The things that we think belong to us, really don’t. They are on-loan. Everything in our “possession” is entrusted to us–including our children. We are stewards who want to be found faithful at the end of the day (Matthew 25:21).

We are stewards who want to be found faithful at the end of the day. Share on X

Even I am not my own. Paul reminds the Corinthian church that each of us was bought with a high price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Peter explains more fully that we were bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:19-20).

However, there is one thing that is ours alone.

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand …Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. (Psalm 73:23-26) [Emphasis added.]

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us that our greatest treasures should be in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). What He meant by that is that He should be our greatest treasure.

Who or What Will I Have?

It’s a difficult concept for children to learn. Not that easy for adults, either. Two of my “children” graduate from high school in a few short weeks, and they are breaking down the doors between dependence and independence. My third one is not far behind. Currently, my many volunteer hours revolve around them. It won’t be like that for much longer. This season of parenting is almost over. I have to ask myself, When my kids are gone, who will I have?

Or course, Lord willing, I’ll have my husband. But life changes. In an instant, even he could be gone. Then, Who will I have? Like grass that whithers under the sun (Isaiah 40:8), so is all our stuff. It, too, can be gone in a moment. Then, What will we have?

Although God may seem to be an intangible force, He is completely real. And when we give our lives to Him, He gives His to us. Our relationship with Him is like that of a husband and wife, who give themselves to each other–and only one another. It is private, protected, and precious (Song of Songs 6:3). It is a fulfilling, satisfying relationship (John 10:10).

Nothing and no one can take us away from our Heavenly Father (John 10:28-29). The beautiful thing is this: As we belong to Him, He belongs to us! He is ours, forever!

Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine. (Psalm 16:5)

We Are Not Alone

As an added blessing, we gain a new family. We are not alone.

I want my practically grown kids to understand this principle, too. As young adults “looking” for Mr. or Ms. Right, they need to know that, even if it seems all their friends are marrying, they belong to God and He belongs to them. They have a private, protected, and precious relationship with their God that is theirs and theirs alone. They also have the blessing of the family of faith. Although they may go through periods of feeling lonely, they are not. We are not.

As I move into the next phase of parenting, I’m learning to hold loosely those who are entrusted to me. As my kids shift into independent adulthood, my purpose and role as a mom will shift as well. Thankfully it’s as much a process for me as it is for them.

The lessons I taught my young children are coming full-circle for me to learn in new ways.

Mine.

There is but One thing–the Lord Jesus. Is He yours?