True Possession Lies in the Act of Giving
Created at: July 23, 2025
Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours. — C.S. Lewis
The Paradox of Ownership
C.S. Lewis’s statement at first seems counterintuitive: how can something only become truly ours once we have let it go? This apparent contradiction introduces a profound reflection on the nature of ownership. Instead of clinging tightly to our possessions, Lewis suggests that genuine possession comes not from accumulation, but from our willingness to share or give them away. Such an idea begins to unravel the ordinary understanding of ownership and encourages a deeper, perhaps spiritual, perspective.
Echoes in Ancient Wisdom
This concept finds early roots in philosophical and religious teachings across cultures. For instance, in the Christian Gospel of Matthew (6:19-21), Jesus warns against storing earthly treasures, urging his followers to seek that which cannot be taken away. Similarly, the Bhagavad Gita extols the virtue of detachment and charitable giving. These timeless messages reinforce Lewis’s argument: true value is realized not by keeping things for ourselves, but by letting them benefit others.
Love and Relationship as Examples
Perhaps the clearest illustration lies in human relationships and acts of love. A parent’s care is not truly theirs until it is bestowed upon their child; a friend’s trust means little unless it is risked and returned. As Lewis himself explores in his book 'The Four Loves' (1960), love’s fulfillment rests in its expression and vulnerability. By giving our love freely, we paradoxically deepen our connection to it and to those with whom we share it.
Personal Fulfillment and Legacy
As we follow this logic, the joy of giving—whether time, resources, or care—becomes one’s lasting legacy. Studies in positive psychology, such as those by Martin Seligman, show that acts of generosity produce greater long-term satisfaction than mere consumption. What we invest in others enriches our own sense of meaning, suggesting that only in giving do we find a lasting sense of ownership and fulfillment.
Practical Lessons for Modern Living
Finally, Lewis’s insight invites practical changes in our daily lives. In a world often focused on acquisition, his wisdom shifts the emphasis toward contribution and generosity. Whether through sharing knowledge, offering help, or supporting communities, we discover that the true measure of belonging or possession lies in what we have given away—and thus, what becomes irrevocably part of us through others.