Embracing Stewardship: The Illusion of Ownership

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound concept of ownership and the illusion of the word "mine." Inspired by C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters," we explore how the sense of ownership can lead to entitlement and dissatisfaction. The more claims we make on life, the more we feel wronged when those claims are unmet. This mindset fosters a self-centered and negative outlook. We often perceive our time, possessions, and even our bodies as our own, yet this is a misconception. Everything we have is a gift from God, and we are merely stewards of these gifts.

The passage from "Screwtape Letters" highlights how humans are prone to feeling that their time is their own, leading to frustration when it is unexpectedly taken. This sense of ownership extends to our bodies, which we mistakenly believe we own, despite being temporary vessels given to us by God. The narrative challenges us to reconsider our perspective on ownership, urging us to recognize that nothing truly belongs to us. Instead, we are called to live with gratitude and generosity, acknowledging that all we have is a gift from God.

By shifting our mindset from "mine" to "thank you," we can embrace a life of giving rather than claiming. This transformation allows us to experience joy and fulfillment, as we become conduits of God's love and grace. We are encouraged to reflect on how we can be more generous with our time, resources, and relationships, recognizing that true ownership lies with God.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Illusion of Ownership: The belief that we own our time, possessions, and bodies is a misconception. Everything we have is a gift from God, and we are stewards of these gifts. Recognizing this truth can free us from entitlement and dissatisfaction. [06:14]

2. The Power of "Mine": The word "mine" fosters a self-centered mindset, leading to frustration and negativity. By letting go of this illusion, we can embrace a life of gratitude and generosity, acknowledging that all we have is a gift. [03:28]

3. Time as a Gift: Our time is not our own; it is a gift from God. When we view time as a personal possession, we become frustrated when it is unexpectedly taken. Embracing time as a gift allows us to live with gratitude and purpose. [04:12]

4. Stewardship of Our Bodies: Our bodies are not our own; they are temporary vessels given by God. Recognizing this truth challenges us to live with humility and gratitude, acknowledging that our bodies are gifts to be used for God's glory. [07:43]

5. Living with Gratitude: By shifting our mindset from "mine" to "thank you," we can experience joy and fulfillment. This transformation allows us to become conduits of God's love and grace, living a life of giving rather than claiming. [12:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - Introduction by Alan George
- [01:08] - Bonus Word: "Hoo-ha"
- [02:18] - The Power of "Mine"
- [02:44] - C.S. Lewis on Misfortune and Injury
- [03:28] - Entitlement and Self-Preoccupation
- [04:12] - The Illusion of Time Ownership
- [05:15] - The Gift of Time
- [06:14] - The Lie of Ownership
- [07:09] - Ownership of Our Bodies
- [08:12] - The Royal Child Analogy
- [09:12] - The Possessive Pronoun
- [10:11] - God's Ownership
- [11:04] - Living as Givers
- [12:29] - Closing and Community Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
2. Psalm 24:1 - "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it."
3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how does the word "mine" influence our mindset and behavior? [02:18]
2. What does C.S. Lewis suggest about the concept of time ownership in "Screwtape Letters"? [04:12]
3. How does the sermon describe our bodies in relation to ownership and stewardship? [07:43]
4. What examples were given in the sermon to illustrate living a life of gratitude and generosity? [11:04]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the belief that "everything we have is a gift from God" challenge common societal views on ownership and entitlement? [06:14]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the illusion of ownership can lead to dissatisfaction and negativity? [03:28]
3. How might viewing time as a gift from God change one's daily priorities and interactions with others? [04:12]
4. What does it mean to be a steward of our bodies, and how does this perspective affect our lifestyle choices? [07:43]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt entitled to something. How might viewing it as a gift from God have changed your reaction? [06:14]
2. Identify an area in your life where you often use the word "mine." How can you shift your mindset to one of gratitude and stewardship? [02:18]
3. Consider your daily schedule. How can you better allocate your time to reflect its status as a gift from God? [04:12]
4. Think about your possessions. What is one way you can use them to bless others this week? [11:04]
5. How can you practice being a steward of your body in a way that honors God? What changes might you need to make? [07:43]
6. Reflect on a relationship where you feel a sense of ownership. How can you approach this relationship with a spirit of generosity and gratitude? [11:29]
7. What is one practical step you can take this week to live more as a giver rather than a claimer? [12:06]

Devotional

Day 1: The Illusion of Ownership
Recognizing the illusion of ownership is a transformative step in spiritual growth. Many people live under the misconception that they own their time, possessions, and even their bodies. This belief can lead to entitlement and dissatisfaction when expectations are not met. By understanding that everything we have is a gift from God, we can free ourselves from these negative feelings. Instead of claiming ownership, we are called to be stewards of the gifts God has entrusted to us. This shift in perspective allows us to live with a sense of gratitude and purpose, acknowledging that our lives are not our own but are meant to serve a greater purpose. [06:14]

"For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." (1 Timothy 6:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one possession or aspect of your life that you feel entitled to? How can you practice gratitude and stewardship in this area today?


Day 2: The Power of "Mine"
The word "mine" can foster a self-centered mindset, leading to frustration and negativity. When we cling to the idea that things belong to us, we become more focused on what we lack rather than what we have. This mindset can prevent us from experiencing the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life of gratitude and generosity. By letting go of the illusion of ownership, we can embrace a life that acknowledges all we have as a gift. This shift allows us to become more open to sharing our time, resources, and love with others, reflecting God's grace in our lives. [03:28]

"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 and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you frequently use the word "mine." How can you shift your language and mindset to reflect gratitude and generosity instead?


Day 3: Time as a Gift
Time is often perceived as a personal possession, leading to frustration when it is unexpectedly taken or disrupted. However, time is a gift from God, and viewing it as such can transform how we live our lives. When we see time as a gift, we are more likely to use it with gratitude and purpose, focusing on what truly matters. This perspective encourages us to prioritize our relationships, spiritual growth, and acts of service, rather than being consumed by the demands of daily life. Embracing time as a gift allows us to live more fully and intentionally, aligning our actions with God's will. [04:12]

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally use your time today to reflect gratitude and purpose? What is one specific way you can prioritize what truly matters?


Day 4: Stewardship of Our Bodies
Our bodies are not our own; they are temporary vessels given to us by God. Recognizing this truth challenges us to live with humility and gratitude, acknowledging that our bodies are gifts to be used for God's glory. This perspective encourages us to care for our bodies, not out of vanity or self-interest, but as an act of worship and stewardship. By viewing our bodies as gifts, we can focus on how we can use them to serve others and fulfill God's purpose in our lives. This mindset shift can lead to healthier habits and a more meaningful approach to physical well-being. [07:43]

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you honor God with your body today? Consider one specific habit or action you can take to reflect stewardship and gratitude.


Day 5: Living with Gratitude
By shifting our mindset from "mine" to "thank you," we can experience joy and fulfillment. This transformation allows us to become conduits of God's love and grace, living a life of giving rather than claiming. When we live with gratitude, we are more open to sharing our blessings with others, recognizing that true ownership lies with God. This perspective encourages us to be generous with our time, resources, and relationships, reflecting God's love in all we do. Living with gratitude not only enriches our own lives but also has a profound impact on those around us, creating a ripple effect of kindness and compassion. [12:06]

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can express gratitude today? How can you use this expression to bless someone else and reflect God's love?

Quotes

"Men are not angered people are not angered by mere misfortune by men but by misfortune conceived as injury and the sense of injury depends on the feeling that a legitimate claim has been denied. The more claims on life therefore that your patient can be induced to make the more often he will feel injured and as a result ill-tempered." [00:02:48]

"The more entitled that you living with the more entitled I feel the more claims I make on life the more often I will feel put upon and have a mindset that will be self-preoccupied selfish and negative. Now you'll have noticed nothing throws him into a passage so easily as to find a chunk of time which he reckoned on having at his own disposal unexpectedly taken from him." [00:03:28]

"They anger him because he regards his time as his own and feels that it's being stolen. You must therefore zealously guard in his mind the curious assumption my time is my own. Let him have the feeling that he starts each day as the lawful possessor of 24 hours gosh let him feel as a grievous tax that portion of this property which he has to make over to his employers." [00:04:12]

"The man can neither make nor retain one moment of time it all comes to him by pure gift he might as well regard the sun and moon as his slaves. He is also in theory committed to a total service of the enemy and if the enemy appeared to him in bodily form and demanded that total service for even one day he would not refuse." [00:05:15]

"All my time is a gift I am a servant of God the idea that my time is mine is a lie from the pit of hell. When I speak of preserving this assumption in his mind therefore the last thing I mean you to do is to furnish him with arguments in its defense there aren't any." [00:06:14]

"The sense of ownership in general is always to be encouraged the humans are always putting up claims to ownership which sound equally funny in heaven and in hell and we must keep them doing so much of the modern resistance to chastity comes from humans belief that they own their bodies." [00:07:09]

"Those vast and perilous estates pulsing with the energy that made the worlds in which they find themselves without their consent and from which they are ejected at the pleasure of another. What a magnificent definition of a body you are living in a vast and perilous estate pulsing with the energy that made the worlds in which you will find yourself without consent and from which you will be ejected at the pleasure of another." [00:07:43]

"It is not my body is not my body it is as if a royal child whom his father had placed for love's sake entitled command of some great province under the real rule of wise counselors should come to fancy he really owns the cities the forest and the corn in the same way as he owns the bricks on the nursery floor." [00:08:12]

"We teach them not to notice the different senses of the possessive pronoun the finely grated differences that run from my boots through my dog my servant my wife my master my country to my god they can be taught to reduce all these sentences senses to that of my boots the my of ownership." [00:09:12]

"And all the time the joke is that the word mind in its fully possessive sense cannot be uttered by a human being about anything in the long run either our father satan evil or the enemy god love will say mine of each thing that exists and especially of each human." [00:10:11]

"Reflect on that word mind and how deeply illusory it is in our minds and our lives today walk through life with the notion that whatever I have is a gift and then be a giver of gifts rather than a claimer of what is mine." [00:11:04]

"To go through life instead of saying mine saying thank you thank you thank you here here here that's the way to live let's go for that today." [00:12:06]

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Transcript
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