Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of ownership in the Bible encompasses both material possessions and spiritual truths. Ownership is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, reflecting God's sovereignty, human stewardship, and the relational dynamics between God and His people.
Divine OwnershipThe Bible begins with the assertion of God's ultimate ownership over all creation. In
Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," we see that everything originates from God, establishing His authority and ownership over the universe.
Psalm 24:1 further emphasizes this: "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein." This verse underscores the belief that all things belong to God, and humans are merely stewards of His creation.
Human StewardshipWhile God is the ultimate owner, He entrusts humanity with the stewardship of His creation. In
Genesis 1:28, God commands Adam and Eve to "fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth." This mandate implies a responsibility to manage and care for the earth, reflecting God's character and purposes.
The parable of the talents in
Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the principle of stewardship. The servants are given resources by their master and are expected to manage them wisely. This parable highlights the expectation that humans will use what they have been given to further God's kingdom and purposes.
Material PossessionsThe Bible addresses the ownership of material possessions, often warning against the dangers of wealth and the love of money. In
1 Timothy 6:10, Paul writes, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." This warning serves as a reminder that while owning possessions is not inherently wrong, the love and pursuit of wealth can lead to spiritual downfall.
Proverbs 3:9-10 encourages believers to honor God with their possessions: "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." This passage suggests that acknowledging God's ownership through giving and generosity leads to His blessing.
Spiritual OwnershipIn the New Testament, the concept of ownership extends to spiritual truths. Believers are described as being "bought at a price" (
1 Corinthians 6:20), referring to the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This purchase signifies that Christians belong to God and are called to live in a manner that honors Him.
Ephesians 1:13-14 speaks of believers being "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession." This sealing indicates that believers are owned by God and are assured of their future inheritance in Christ.
Relational DynamicsOwnership in the Bible also reflects the relational dynamics between God and His people. In
Exodus 19:5, God declares to Israel, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations." This covenant relationship establishes Israel as God's own, highlighting the special bond and responsibilities that come with being owned by God.
Similarly, in the New Testament,
1 Peter 2:9 describes believers as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession." This identity as God's possession calls Christians to live distinctively, proclaiming His excellencies and reflecting His glory in the world.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of ownership encompasses God's ultimate authority, human stewardship, the management of material possessions, and the spiritual relationship between God and His people. Through understanding ownership in these contexts, believers are called to live responsibly, acknowledging God's sovereignty and reflecting His character in all aspects of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Own.
Greek
5225. huparcho -- to begin, to be ready or at hand, to be... to begin, to be ready or at hand, to be NASB Word Usage been (2), being (9), belonging
(1), exist (1), existed (1), gone (1), live (1),
owned (1), possess (1
...2192. echo -- to have, hold
... 3), kept (1), maintain (1), maintained (1), maintaining (1), meets (1), nearby
(1), next (2), obliged* (1), obtain (2), obtained (1),owned (3), possess (2...
Strong's Hebrew
168. ohel -- a tent... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a tent NASB Word Usage home
(1),
owned (1), side pillar (1), tent (285), tents (56).
...3426. yesh -- being, substance, existence, is
... of uncertain derivation Definition being, substance, existence, is NASB Word Usage
any (1), Gaddi (1), going (1), had (1), has (4), have (17),owned (3), owns...
Library
What Kind of Things Even their Worshippers haveOwned they have...
... Book IV. Chapter 30."What Kind of Things Even Their Worshippers HaveOwned
They Have Thought About the Gods of the Nations. Cicero...
The Life of Mr. Walter Smith.
... Lanerk to Glasgow, and from thence taken to Edinburgh, where, upon the 15th of July,
he was brought before the council, and there examined if heowned the king...
The Old Testament Scriptures, and those Written by Moses in...
... And thy life shall be hanging before thine eyes, and thou wilt not believe thy life."
[3926] And again, "Has not this same one thy Fatherowned thee, and made...
Slaves and Free
... man who has, of his own volition, given himself for a time to do specific work and
get wages for it; but it means 'a bond-slave,' a chattelowned by another....
Thou Didst Seek the Gloom,
... Resting in the tomb". On that dark and woful day,. Hadesowned Thy kingly sway.
II. Victor!... On that glad and glorious day,. Hadesowned Thy kingly sway. III....
Invitation.
... 2 Hark, it is thy Saviour's voice! "Welcome, pilgrim, to thy rest." Now within the
gate rejoice, Safe, andowned, and bought and blest" Safe"from all the...
Love and Law.
... last representative of an old family, and had come into possession, on attaining
his majority, of a large landed estate immediately adjoining thatowned by Mr...
The Life of Mr. Angus Macbean.
... with greater force upon his conscience, so that he could not overcome them; that
he was convinced presbytery was the only government Godowned in these nations...
Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of...
... [6326] It was not only that his destruction of the Persian empire put an end to
the easy and peaceful allegiance which Jud??a hadowned to it for about two...
The Love of the Brethren
... Such menowned one another, and found one another out, and took sweet counsel together,
even though some were "Brethren," and some still went by the name of...
Thesaurus
Owned (18 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Owned (18 Occurrences). Matthew 19:22 On hearing those
words the young man went away much cast down; for he had much property.
...Share (138 Occurrences)
... 4. (v.) Especially, the part allotted or belonging to one, of any property or interest
owned by a number; a portion among others; an apportioned lot; an...
Jubilee (25 Occurrences)
... sojourners with me." The same rule was to be applied to dwelling-houses outside
of the walled cities (Leviticus 25:31), and also to the housesowned by Levites...
Minor (2 Occurrences)
... The central plateau has always been famous for its vast flocks of sheep. King Amyntas
of Galatiaowned enormous flocks which pastured on the Lycaonian plain....
Asia (22 Occurrences)
... The central plateau has always been famous for its vast flocks of sheep. King Amyntas
of Galatiaowned enormous flocks which pastured on the Lycaonian plain....
Ought (130 Occurrences)
... something. 2. (imp., pp, or auxiliary) Was or were under obligation to
pay; owed. 3. (imp., pp, or auxiliary)Owned; possessed. 4...
Own (5782 Occurrences)
Jebus (5 Occurrences)
... name, and possibly they may have imagined an earlier name, for Jerusalem from JEBUSITE
(which see), the name of the local tribe whoowned the district in the...
Judas (42 Occurrences)
... evil of his nature probably gradually unfolded itself till "Satan entered into him"
(John 13:27), and he betrayed our Lord (18:3). Afterwards heowned his sin...
Inheritance (263 Occurrences)
... In order that there might not be any respecter of persons in the division, the lot
was to determine the specific piece to beowned by each family head (Numbers...
Resources
Should a Christian own weapons? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a Union church? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Laban in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgOwned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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