Is It Really Mine?

We naturally think of many things in life as “mine.” My time, my money, my health, my family, my talents, my work, my business, my ministry.

We say, “The Lord is the Owner.” But if we look at the way we actually live, are we not still acting as the owner?

I decide how to use my time. I make plans for my future. I decide what to do with what I have been given. Then what do we really mean when we say, “The Lord is the Owner”? What exactly is He the Owner of?

One day, our life on this earth will come to an end. When we leave this world, we leave everything behind—our possessions, our position, our reputation, and even our physical body.

Then what is truly ours?

The Bible says, “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Many things given to us in this life are not ours to keep forever. They are entrusted to us for a time. That is why we are not owners, but stewards.

Even our own life is not something we created. God made us and gave us life. He has given us what we need to live, grow, serve, and fulfill His purpose.

And God did not create us simply to gain more and live comfortably in this world. His desire is that our inner person be transformed, that we become more like Him and grow in the heart of Jesus.

To know this and live according to it is faith.

It is believing that God is not only the Owner in words, but the true Owner of my life. What I have, what I do, and even the direction of my life are not simply mine to use however I want.

If He is truly the Owner, then I cannot simply say, “This is mine, so I will do whatever I want.” A steward asks the Owner.

“Lord, how do You want me to use this?”
“Why have You entrusted this to me?”
“What do You want me to learn through this situation?”
“What do You want me to do?”

And stewardship is not only about a position or responsibility in the church. Even the circumstances of our lives should be seen before God.

Not only pleasant circumstances, but also things that do not go the way we want, difficult relationships, waiting, and hardship can become opportunities for our inner person to be changed. God knows our lives, and He can use every part of them to make us more like Him.

In the parable of the talents, the master entrusted his servants with what belonged to him and later returned to ask how they had used it. Those who were faithful were entrusted with more and invited to share in their master’s joy. (Matthew 25:14–30)

So surrendering our lives to God does not mean losing them. When we faithfully use what He has entrusted to us according to His will, our lives can bear greater fruit. Jesus said that seed sown on good soil produces fruit thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times what was sown. (Mark 4:20)

And among all those fruits, one of the most important is ourselves.

Time passes. Possessions are left behind. Even our outer body remains on this earth. But the inner person that has been changed through loving and obeying God, the heart that has become more like Him, and the heavenly reward stored before God are connected to eternity.

These are what truly remain.

And when we recognize God as the true Owner and live according to His will, we come to know Him more deeply as our God. This does not mean that every difficulty disappears or that everything always goes the way we want. Rather, even in difficulty, we experience His guidance, protection, provision, comfort, and answers according to His will.

We discover that the greatest blessing is not simply receiving more from God, but knowing Him more deeply and living under His care.

Today, let us ask ourselves:
I say that the Lord is the Owner—but who is actually making all the decisions in my life?

What am I still treating as completely mine? If it has been entrusted to me by God, how would I use it differently today?

Lord, help me understand that I am not the owner, but a steward. Help me not only say that You are Lord, but truly give You the place of Lord in my life. Teach me to use what You have entrusted to me according to Your will. Through every circumstance, transform my inner person so that I may become more like You. Let my life bear good fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundred times—and help me stand before You with joy at the end.