Who Owns The Land
Human beings talk about “owning” land, but the more we look at how land works—mortgages, taxes, and the power of governments—the more the question rises: Does anyone truly own land at all? Many cultures, including Native American nations, understood land not as property but as a sacred trust from God. Jesus also spoke about stewardship in His parable of the tenant farmers.
Do you have land? Do you own it? If you have a mortgage on the land, then who really owns it? The lender can take it away if you stop making payments—so is it truly yours?
Let’s say you’ve paid off your mortgage. Now who owns the land? You would think you do. But what happens if you don’t pay your property taxes? The government can seize the land. So again—who owns it?
Does anyone really own land on this planet Earth?
Here is something I found on the HERB website. It is what Sitting Bull, Lakota warrior, said in 1932:
“Our land is more valuable than your money. It will last forever. It will not even perish by the flames of fire. As long as the sun shines and the waters flow, this land will be here to give life to men and animals. We cannot sell the lives of men and animals; therefore we cannot sell this land. It was put here for us by the Great Spirit, and we cannot sell it because it does not belong to us. You can count your money and burn it within the nod of a buffalo’s head, but only the Great Spirit can count the grains of sand and the blades of grass of these plains. As a present to you, we will give you anything we have that you can take with you, but the land—never.”
The Native American peoples understood something profound: land is not something you own. It is something placed here by the Great Spirit—God.
Matthew 21:33–45 — The Parable of the Tenant Farmers
Jesus tells a parable about a landowner who planted a vineyard, prepared it, and leased it to tenant farmers. When he sent servants to collect the fruit, the tenants beat, stoned, and killed them. Finally, he sent his son, and they killed him too, hoping to seize the inheritance.
When Jesus asked what the landowner would do, the people answered: “He will destroy those evil men and lease the vineyard to others who will give him the fruit in its season.”
Jesus then said:
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone… The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”
The chief priests and Pharisees knew He was speaking about them.
When we step back, we see that land—like life itself—belongs to God. We are tenants, stewards, caretakers for a short time. What matters is not possession, but faithfulness. The One who planted the vineyard still seeks fruit from those who dwell upon His earth.
Closing Prayer
Father,
Teach us to hold lightly the things of this world and to hold tightly to You.
Make us faithful stewards of the land, the time, and the life You have entrusted to us.
Let our hearts produce the fruit You desire, and let our lives honor the true Owner of all creation.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
