Having, But Not Having

Having, But Not Having

 

“Having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:10)

 

The apostle Paul gives us this paradox as one of the foundation principles of the Christian life: “Having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:10). It is a saying of the deepest significance, for it strikes a blow at the whole fabric of the ordinary Christian life.

 

The ambition of most Christians, so far from being an ambition to have nothing, is, on the contrary, an ambition to have a vast number of things; and their energies are all wasted in the vain effort to get possession of these things. Some strive to get possession of certain experiences, some seek after ecstatic feelings, some try to make themselves rich in theological views and dogmas, some store up a long list of works done and results achieved, some seek to acquire illuminations or to accumulate gifts and graces. In short, Christians, almost, without exception, seek to possess a store of something or other, which they fancy will serve to recommend them to God and make them worthy of His love and care.

 

Could we but understand clearly the meaning of Paul’s words, “having nothing, and yet possessing all things,’ all this would be at an end. For we would see that the one thing God wants for us is for us to empty ourselves of all our own things in order that we may depend on Him for everything, to discover that His purpose is to bring us to the place where we have nothing apart from Him.