My grandfather, Dr Mes, was Krugersdorp’s local surgeon.

Many people remember stories of oupa’s acts of kindness and wisdom. As a young man, I remember one of the many encounters with my grandfather. Sitting in his study, a cloud of smoke from his pipe filled with maple tobacco.

The following words oupa said struck me. “You can own one thing, you can own two things but as soon as you have three things, the things own you”. This made no sense to me. Not wanting to look stupid in my idol’s eyes, I asked for an explanation.

Oupa said, most people think they own things but it is actually the things that own them. Oupa illustrated by asking me, “Does a man own a house or does a house own a man?” Years of thoughts about that conversation has led me to believe it is not us owning things, but things that own us. Now I have to face my personal dilemma.

What owns me? The bank, my house, car, family or friends? The Bible puts it like this, Matt. 6:25, “Is not life more important than clothes?”

The birds of the air own nothing, yet, they experience a greater freedom. Owning things don’t make you free.