Possessing But Not Owning

“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:  neither said any of them that ought of

the things which he possessed was his own,

but they had all things common.”  (Acts 4:31-32)

To me this scripture means that a man (or woman) can have possessions which they use freely while these items are needed in his or her life.  However, they did not act like nor believe that they own these items.

Instead, when the need of any item is passed, then that possession is willingly shared with others.  Thus, their possessions could also become useful to the common needs of the larger group.

Such should be our motive.  If we have possessions that are useful and needed in our lives, we keep and use them.  If we have possessions that are useful but not needed, we share them.  Then we, indeed, can benefit many and our communities can have “all things common.”

…

This musing was inspired by an article entitled “Unity” in the September Ensign, page 52-54, where President Marion G. Romney, a former member of the First Presidency, spoke about these principles (also see April 1983 General Conference, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).