Owned

If we say, "We have fellowship with Him," and walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. - 1 John 1:6

One book that should be required reading for anyone visiting or working in Africa (available from Amazon) is titled African Friends and Money Matters. It explains the "communal" approach that most Africans take to their resources and how to navigate the cultural waters surrounding money on that continent.

For example, if you own a bicycle, but are not using it, then in the typical African culture it would be wrong for you to refuse another who needs it. Also, if you come into a lot of money, then you are expected to share it with your family and friends. Obviously, this creates some interesting situations with missionaries (and other expatriates) who live there. Whether or not something belongs to you is "conditional."

If a person says that he belongs to Christ, does he really? According to John, this depends upon how he "walks." If a person claims the lordship of Christ, yet lives as if this world is his master, this is at best hypocrisy and at worst unbelief. While one may certainly live in any culture and profess a biblical faith, he or she cannot embrace worldly values and do the same.

While our physical property may belong to a community (as it often does in Africa), our lives do not. They belong to Jesus alone and must be lived for Him.

Lord, without You, nothing, with You, everything. - Unknown