How should Leviticus 25:23 influence our view of material possessions and wealth? The Verse at a Glance Leviticus 25 : 23 “The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me.” The Ownership Principle: God Holds the Deed • The verse speaks literally of farmland in ancient Israel, yet it declares an unchanging truth: God owns everything. • Psalm 24 : 1 echoes it: “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof…” • Haggai 2 : 8 adds, “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine.” • Whatever sits in a bank account, retirement fund, garage, or backyard ultimately bears God’s name on the title. We Are Temporary Tenants • Leviticus calls God’s people “foreigners and residents.” The Hebrew terms picture sojourners lodging in a place that is not permanently theirs. • This status keeps pride in check; we hold resources loosely because our tenancy is short (James 4 : 14). • It also guards against anxiety: if the land, the silver, and the gold are His, then provision rests in His hands (Matthew 6 : 25-33). Stewardship, Not Possession • A steward manages another’s property for the owner’s purposes (1 Peter 4 : 10). • Therefore: – Budgeting becomes an act of obedience, not self-indulgence. – Investing seeks kingdom impact as well as return (Matthew 25 : 14-30). – Debt is approached cautiously; we do not encumber what belongs to God. • 1 Chronicles 29 : 14 captures the attitude: “Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” Practical Rhythms Shaped by the Verse • Regular thanksgiving: verbally acknowledge God’s ownership when paychecks arrive or assets appreciate. • Open-handed generosity: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9 : 7). Since it is His, releasing it blesses rather than deprives. • Sabbath rest and periodic reset: Israel’s Jubilee returned land to original families; today, scheduling rest and periodic financial reevaluation reminds us possessions don’t define us. • Ethical labor: Colossians 3 : 23 urges work “as for the Lord.” Honest craftsmanship honors the Owner. • Legacy planning: wills, trusts, and beneficiary choices become opportunities to direct God’s assets toward gospel advance after we leave this life. Guarding Against Materialism • Luke 12 : 15 warns, “Watch out and guard yourselves against every kind of greed.” • Storing earthly treasure alone invites corrosion (Matthew 6 : 19-21). • 1 Timothy 6 : 10 cautions that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil,” while verses 17-19 command the rich “to be generous and ready to share.” Generosity as Faith in Action • Acts 4 : 32 shows early believers treating possessions as common property for those in need. • Giving demonstrates trust that the Owner will refill open hands (Proverbs 11 : 24-25). • 2 Corinthians 9 : 6-11 links sowing generously to God’s continued provision “so that you will abound in every good work.” Living for an Eternal Inheritance • Because the present earth is leased ground, we look forward to “an inheritance that is imperishable” (1 Peter 1 : 4). • Jesus urges an investment strategy that banks on heaven, “where moth and rust do not destroy” (Matthew 6 : 20). • This hope frees us to use temporal wealth for eternal gain—supporting mission, caring for the poor, raising children to value Christ above cash. Putting It All Together Leviticus 25 : 23 shifts our mindset from owner to steward, from permanence to pilgrimage, and from accumulation to generosity. By acknowledging God’s absolute ownership and our brief tenancy, we handle material possessions with open hands, content hearts, and a forward look to the unfading riches God has prepared for His people. |
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