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--- jn_en_2020_01_13 [2020/01/13 08:10] – potthast
+++ jn_en_2020_01_13 [2020/01/13 08:26] (current) – potthast
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 concern about my possessions can influence my well-being.
+The principle of Ownership has been questioned several times by social visions throughout
+history. Can we build a society without ownership, where everything belongs to everyone? In this
+case you need to find an alternative to decision making on how to use things, how to sell things,
+how to distribute money and value. Kommunism has tried to abolish ownership in some phases
+of its existence - not with much success. Motivation of humans is strongly linked to ownership.
+At the same time, also the biblical texts are putting ownership into a particular perspective.
+They do not question ownership itself, they acknowledge it as important principle and demand
+full truthfulness and reliability of humans with respect to ownership of things. At the same
+time the bible reminds us that all what exists is given to us. God is the ultimate owner of
+this world. We are just his children, created beings, given a place to live in and take care
+of. The sabbath year of the Old Testament gives a limit to ownership and the collection of
+wealth, which is a healthy boundary to human greed.
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-**  ... **
+** Jesus Temptation ... **
+It is interesting and exciting to read the discussion between Jesus and the devil in Matthew 4,
+where ownership is the main topic. Let us listen to this important passage:
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 </color> (Matthew 4, 8-10)
+There are several things in this little story, which can make you think. Does the devil own this
+world? Does he really have the right to give it to people? Where is the limit of this, it cannot
+be completely true! Is he just trying to cheat Jesus?
+Also, what does it mean to fall down and worship him? To fall down means to acknowledge someone
+as the Lord, the king, as the person who can command and has power. Worship is an expression of
+personal dedication, it shows that I am astonished and that I admire and marvel someone or
+something. Only God deserves this central place in our life! Why should I give the devil this
+important role? Why should Jesus do so?
+How can it be that Jesus is challenged like this at all? Is it really a challenge? Did this take
+place for us, is it that Jesus hat do experience the thoughts and challenges and temptations which
+usually influence humans, who much less than him can see the majesty and magnificence of the
+eternal God and Lord?
+Here, ownership of things, of fame, of recognition and value is the core temptation under
+discussion. If ownership of anything in this world interfers with the role of God, the eternal
+creator, the beginning and ultimate purpose of all what is, we are in trouble. But it does
+not need to become like that. Living faith and trust in God through Jesus and the holy spirit
+can keep us save and sound, today and tomorrow.
 (Roland Potthast)