It's Not Yours!

New Book from Compass

When I was just 14, I had a real eye-opener about the fleeting nature of things. We had a lovely house with a big garden in a great neighbourhood. My dad had a good job, so we were fairly well-off. I had all sorts of cool stuff: a collection of football memorabilia and stamps from all over the world, and a model train landscape that I had built myself. I spent my days riding my new bike and walking with my dog. I went to a fancy school, and I thought my future was all set. But then, out of nowhere, our world came crashing down. My dad lost his job and declared bankruptcy. It was a huge change, and we had to pack up and drive 300 miles north to live with my aunt. I could only take what I could fit in my suitcase and my dog. Everything else – my collections, my train set, my bike – was left behind. I found out later that all our stuff was moved into storage and sold. Leaving all my stuff and my friends during a family crisis was devastating. It made me realise that I didn’t own anything. It taught me that things can change quickly, and they shouldn’t define who we are. Because when they’re gone, we can lose our sense of self. It took another year or so before I became a Christian, and only then did I start to feel like myself again. It wasn’t about what I owned, but about who I was in Christ.

A few years later, just before I finished uni, I found myself in a bit of a pickle. I needed a temporary place to crash, and luckily, my church friends, Bill and Isabel Middendorf, came to my rescue. Bill, the US Ambassador to the Netherlands, and his wife were away on holiday for about three weeks, and they offered me full access to their lovely home in The Hague during that time. Three weeks in an ambassador’s spacious home, right in a nice area, was a much better option than a tiny dorm room, so I couldn’t resist. For those three weeks, I had an absolute blast! I swam in their impressive pool, raided their well-stocked fridge (don’t tell them I said that!), and enjoyed delicious meals cooked by their staff. I relaxed watching movies in their cosy home cinema and wandered through the beautiful garden. But here’s the thing: the house wasn’t mine. When Bill and Isabel returned, there was no doubt about that. I didn’t have the right to bolt the door and declare, ‘It’s mine now!’ The house belonged to them, and when my time as a temporary guest was up, I left without a hitch. It was a wonderful three weeks, but I never forgot my role. I was just a caretaker, looking after the property for its rightful owners. Every convenience, every luxury within those walls belonged to them, not me.

Eight years later, my wife and I had the most thrilling experience of our lives - buying our first house! We finally had a place that truly belonged to us, free from the whims of landlords. No more telling us what paint colours to use or what renovations we could do. We could decorate our hearts out, paint any room any colour, or even knock down a wall if we wanted.

But guess what? Homeownership wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. When the plumbing decided to act up, it was my job to fix it, or more likely, pay someone a fortune to do it. The leaking roof, the jammed windows, the constant need for maintenance - it all fell on my shoulders. In these tough economic times with high inflation, we struggled to pay the mortgage and keep the house in tip-top shape. Those were tough times, let me tell you.

Why? Because, in the real world, I was the ‘owner,’ and with that title came a heavy responsibility and cost. It wasn’t the carefree ‘enjoyment’ I had experienced in the ambassador’s residence. It was the constant burden that comes with claiming ultimate possession.

I’m excited to share with you a book that explores a topic that’s often overlooked in our fast-paced world: true ownership. You know, the idea that we own everything we have? Well, let me tell you, that’s not always the case.

Our society is all about individual property, and we’re encouraged to work hard, buy things, and enjoy them. But here’s the thing: our possessions are often more complicated than we think, and they can actually be less secure than we imagine.

This book introduces a powerful idea: that while we might feel like we own everything, the truth is that God is the ultimate Owner of everything. Clinging to the belief that everything belongs to us can be stressful, materialistic, and even prideful. But when we embrace the truth that God owns all, and we’re just His stewards, it’s not only practical, it’s essential for living a truly honouring life.

This book will help you shift your focus from constantly accumulating things to faithfully managing them for God’s glory and purposes.

Part 1, “Theology of Ownership,” starts by exploring God’s claims based on Creation and Redemption. It then goes into detail about how the Fall distorted our understanding of ownership and how Restoration can change our lives. You’ll learn about our accountability, eternal reward, and the pursuit of treasures in heaven.

Part 2, “The Economics of God’s Ownership,” compares worldly economic models with God’s economy. It argues that human ownership is really just an illusion, because all our possessions are temporary and depend on God’s sustaining hand. It also critically examines worldly property concepts, showing how they often lead to unintended negative consequences.

Next, we’ll look at the economic principles from the Old and New Testaments. These stories teach us about taking care of things, being fair, and being generous.

Part 3, “Living the Steward’s Life,” will show you how to apply these principles in your daily life. It’ll cover everything from your choices and work to your relationships, God’s creation, and even your body, soul, and spirit.

This final part will explore the ultimate test of faith: honestly acknowledging God’s ownership and trusting him completely. This means being willing to give freely and joyfully. I hope this will help you reconsider your approach to ownership and free you from the stress of accumulating things and relying on yourself.

Living as a faithful steward under God’s loving care can bring a deep sense of peace, purpose, and joy. If you’re ready to explore this transformative path, let’s dive in!

Check the book out on Amazon!

Cheers,

Peter J. Briscoe

Leiden, The Netherlands, July 2025