Do I Have to Share?
Summer break has afforded me some time to work on this website. I stubbornly persisted until I figured out how to add things to my sidebar. Now, I found a plugin for a “Share this” link at the bottom of my posts. Herein lies my problem.
I don’t use the word share in my vocabulary very often, and now it ends every one of my posts. In Webster’s 1828 Dictionary share refers to portions. One definition speaks of distributing parts to each individual. I don’t want my property divided up and passed out unless I’m the one doing the dispersing. Is that wrong?
The Declaration of Independence states that our rights of life, liberty, and property are from the Creator. If you don’t like the word creator, look to the laws of nature. Before this continent was populated the land belonged to whomever was cultivating it. If individuals were living in a place it was recognized as their homeland. For property to change ownership it had to either be purchased or won in war.
This principle still applies. If a thief sneaks into your house you have the right to protect yourself under our law. Do we understand this idea? Are we practicing it in every day life? Forcing individuals, including our children, to share does not respect their property and they will fight to keep it. (Can you heard my two year old screaming, “Mine!”)
What can we do instead? God encourages us, “Freely you have received, freely give.” Mathew 10:9 There is virtue and promise in generosity. Webster defines generous as liberal, bountiful, free to give, full, overflowing, abundant. We can inspire hearts with those words. The portions granted us are not only for ourselves. God gives to us so we can help others. He asks us to be faithful stewards and promises that “a generous man will be blessed for he shares his food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9
My desire is to bless the discouraged and weary with spiritual food so the “Share this” button at the end of my posts will remain. I am free to give my thoughts, and you have permission “to partake or enjoy with others.” (another Webster’s 1828 definition of share)
Great post! I have been listening to some teachings of Ben Gilmore as he goes through John Locke’s writings on this very subject in CHOC – excellent reasoning! I used it in my planning for qtr 1 history next year – after establishing that work = ownership then here are some of the reason questions I came up with:
1. What can we do to maintain proper stewardship if we have more than we can take proper care of?
2. Who has provided the property we have? Read Psalm 115:16
3. If we have more than we can use and keep it anyways are we not keeping from someone else a portion of the abundance that God gave for all mankind?
4. Is this stealing?
5. Is it coveting?
6. Did God intend for us to take more than we can use?
7. What are some ways that we are doing this? When we eat too much or dish up too much? When we have a room cluttered with our stuff and it is more than we can easily manage and maintain? When we don’t want to be generous with our belongings? When we don’t want to give up a favorite piece of clothing that we have outgrown? What about giving from our health and strength by working (serving) for others who need help?
Such awesome lessons our kiddos are learning! ( : Thanks for “sharing”! ( :
Mandi,
Thanks for adding these questions. They are excellent ideas to ponder.
During Teachers for the Nations we discussed the consequences of taking more than you could use. In nature if you had excess it would rot. Now we have money. Money doesn’t usually decay but loving it instead of others can rot our hearts.
Yes, we are learning awesome lessons!