Video link: MERE OWNERSHIP IS NOT A BLESSING
MERE OWNERSHIP IS NOT A BLESSING
(Enjoy the fruit of your labor)
Main Scripture: Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it.”
Proverbs 10:22 tells us that the blessing of the Lord makes rich and adds no sorrow to it.
1. HAPPINESS IS NOT THE SAME AS JOY
There is a difference between happiness and joy.
Happiness is usually connected to circumstances. When things are going well, we are happy. When circumstances change, our happiness can disappear.
Ecclesiastes 2:10 says: “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.”
Joy is different.
Joy is an inner confidence and contentment that comes from God, regardless of our circumstances.
Paul said in Philippians 4:11: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
Hebrews 13:5 says: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
We should not be so focused on possessions that we lose our peace.
2. WE CAN OWN SOMETHING WITHOUT ENJOYING IT
The Bible gives examples of situations where people possessed things but could not enjoy them.
Deuteronomy 28:30 says: “You shall build a house, but not dwell in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but not use its fruit.”
Ownership without enjoyment is incomplete. Therefore, we need more than possessions. We need the blessing of God upon what we possess.
3. WE CAN HAVE A MARRIAGE WITHOUT ENJOYING MARRIAGE
A person may be legally married to a beautiful wife or handsome husband, yet emotionally and relationally they may belong somewhere else.
The spouse may carry the title of husband or wife, but someone else receives the affection, attention, companionship, and benefits of the relationship.
God wants us not merely to have a spouse, but to enjoy a healthy marriage characterized by love, faithfulness, companionship, peace, and mutual respect.
4. WE CAN BUILD BUT FAIL TO BENEFIT
Deuteronomy 28:30 gives another picture: “You shall build a house, but not dwell in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but not use its fruit.”
Some people work hard, but others enjoy the results. Some establish businesses, but other people become wealthy through those businesses while the owners remain struggling.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 reminds us that being able to eat, drink, and enjoy the fruit of our labor is a gift from God.
5. WE CAN HAVE RIGHTS BUT STILL BE UNABLE TO ENJOY THEM
Deuteronomy 28:31 describes a painful situation: “Your ox shall be slaughtered before your eyes, yet you shall not eat its meat... and you shall have no one to rescue you.”
We may sometimes experience situations where our rights are ignored, our opportunities are taken away, or the fruit of our labor is consumed by others.
God is our defender. Psalm 68:5 describes Him as: “A father to the fatherless and a defender of widows.”
6. WE CAN HAVE CHILDREN BUT LOSE THE RELATIONSHIP
Deuteronomy 28:32 speaks about the pain of seeing one's children yet being unable to enjoy them.
This reminds us that having children is not enough; we must cultivate relationships with them.
We should not wait until our children become successful before we build relationships with them.
We must bless our children with our words, even when we are disappointed with their decisions.
Our words should become instruments of healing rather than instruments of destruction.
7. WE CAN EARN WELL BUT REMAIN BEHIND
Deuteronomy 28:43 says: “The stranger who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower.”
This illustrates another painful reality: working hard without seeing corresponding progress.
We need both prayer and obedience, faith and wisdom, dependence on God and responsible action.
8. WE MUST NOT ONLY HAVE JESUS; WE MUST CALL UPON HIM
One of the most powerful lessons comes from the disciples in Luke 8:23–24.
Jesus was in the boat with them, yet a storm arose. His presence did not prevent the storm. They woke Jesus and cried: “Master, Master, we are perishing!”
Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and there was a calm.
The disciples had Jesus in the boat, but they still had to wake Him.
9. GOD WANTS US TO ENJOY HIS BLESSINGS
Psalm 128:2 says: “You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.”
God is not against prosperity, possessions, success, or material blessings. But God's blessing is greater than material possession.
Dr Lawi Mshana, +255712924234, Tanzania
