Ownership = Rights and Responsibilities

June 17, 2009

Text: Philemon 1:10-16

Title: Ownership = Rights and Responsibilities

Thoughts:

“You own something that God has redeemed and desires to use for His Kingdom.”

Reading through the book of Philemon, one cannot deny the authority Philemon had in regards to his servant Onesimus. Paul clarifies there are only two ways in which Onesimus could remain. Paul could either assert his authority and leverage Philemon’s debt against him to keep Onesimus, or he could appeal to Philemon’s proper stewardship of his servant Onesimus. In neither case was the option up to Onesimus. He was the property of his owner.

Again, we do not embrace slavery. Furthermore, just as it is impossible for any person to claim absolute ownership of anything upon earth, it is impossible for one individual to own another. Understanding that “the earth and the fullness thereof belongs to the Lord” (Ps. 24:1), we recognize that ownership is more than absolute ownership. Therefore, we will consider ownership relative to the terms: rights and responsibilities.

While Philemon could not completely own the person of Onesimus, he was the possessor of the rights to Onesimus. It was entirely his determination as to what would happen with this newly transformed man. As a homeowner, I have the right to manage my house as I wish. As a renter, this choice is not mine. However, with the rights of ownership come the responsibilities of ownership. Though Philemon owned the rights of Onesimus, he was responsible for him, both in a physical and eternal sense.

Like Onesimus, we will all appear before the Lord and will be called to give an account of the rights we have stewarded on earth. Each of us have ownership to the rights of our time, talents, and treasures. Though God could demand we use them in His will, He allows us to manage those rights. However, we must never forget that those rights come with responsibilities.

Application:

How would you define ownership?

How does the terms rights and responsibilities change your perception of ownership?

What time, talents, and treasures are you exercising rights and responsibilities over in your life? Are you ready to give an account for each of them?

Prayer:

Father,

At times I think ownership is relative to just me. I treat it as if it were simply whether or not I want to do or not to do something. Though You have given me that right, You have also made me completely responsible for those decisions. May I be faithful in every aspect of my stewardship!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.