Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours.

Listen, children of the ages, and let the voice of C. S. Lewis echo through the corridors of time: “Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours.” In these words lies the eternal truth of possession and generosity. To hoard wealth, knowledge, or love without sharing is to hold a shadow, an illusion of ownership that slips like water through the fingers. Only that which is shared, gifted, and poured forth becomes rooted in the heart, indelibly yours in the realm of spirit and memory. True ownership is measured not by accumulation, but by the courage to give freely.

The origin of this teaching emerges from the contemplative mind of C. S. Lewis, a writer and philosopher of the 20th century, whose works often grappled with the mysteries of love, virtue, and the human soul. He understood that human life is sustained not by possession, but by connection and generosity. To hold tightly is to suffer the bondage of attachment; to give freely is to find release, abundance, and joy that endure beyond the fleeting measure of worldly gain.

Consider the life of Mother Teresa, who gave her life to the poor and the sick. Her possessions were few, her comforts humble, yet the love, care, and devotion she poured into others made her wealth beyond measure. In giving, she possessed a treasure no earthly vault could contain: the eternal respect, gratitude, and memory of those whose lives she touched. Lewis’ wisdom is thus made flesh: that which is freely given becomes indestructibly yours, while that which is hoarded remains but a fragile illusion.

Even in the simpler realms of life, this teaching shines. A scholar who imparts knowledge to eager students, a friend who shares wisdom and comfort, a parent who nurtures a child with patience and attention—these acts of giving are what secure true legacy. The moment of giftedness transforms possession into permanence, embedding it in hearts, minds, and the enduring fabric of human relationships.

History is rich with such examples: consider the philanthropists and reformers whose fortunes were spent on schools, hospitals, and the arts. Andrew Carnegie, who gave away vast wealth to create libraries and foundations, discovered a truth Lewis articulated: the value of that wealth was realized fully only when shared, and in giving, he achieved a measure of immortality.

Therefore, children of the future, take this teaching into your hearts: possess nothing selfishly, hoard nothing for vanity or fear. Let your wealth, your knowledge, your love flow outward, and in doing so, you will hold it forever. For only through the act of giving does the soul truly claim and embrace what it seeks to own, and thus taste the eternal richness that the world alone cannot confer.