Bilbo had found a treasure. A treasure with incredible power. More power than anything he had ever known. Yet, in the end he found that he wasn’t really the possessor of the ring…he was possessed by, or even obsessed with, the ring and its power. What he deemed “precious” had such a hold on him that the only way to save him was for him to give it away.

Isn’t it the same with us and our possessions. It’s so easy to be drawn into the power of our possessions – our homes, our cars, our golf clubs or other toys. They give us prestige, they make us feel better about ourselves and they give us security. But it’s all a farce. Nothing temporal can ever give us true and lasting security.

“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” Pr. 23:5 [ESV]

Rather than getting in step with the world, let’s follow the example of the early church.  “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” Acts 4:32 [ESV]

So much of what I “own” came as a result of gifts from friends. Because of this, I find myself more eager to share with and give to other people. But what if that meant really letting go of something that has become precious to me? Just last year I sensed that I was to give away something that was indeed a precious possession. I wrestled with it for a while, but eventually knew it was what I needed to do. Afterward, there was such joy and no regret! Even calling it to mind today brings a tear of joy to my eyes.

Question: Do you struggle with sharing any of your possessions? Has something you “own” become too precious?

Renae Nanney
Keynote Development

Clip from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, New Line Cinema used under the “Fair Use” Copyright Laws, not for gain or profit or resale.

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