The Illusion of Ownership
- Raymond Melendez
- Apr 20
- 6 min read
The disturbing reality of “home equity theft” reveals a deeper crisis—one not only of policy but of values. In Massachusetts and Nebraska, homes are being seized over minor tax debts, with governments and third parties reaping profits far beyond what is owed. This is not just about lost property; it is about the stripping away of dignity and heritage. As climate change further threatens the stability of property values in vulnerable areas like Nantucket, homeowners face compounded dangers—environmental and systemic.
Jesus challenges the deceptive image of the earth's grandeur in Luke 12. He cautions against the Pharisees' hypocrisy, where their outward appearance hides inner corruption. Just as home equity theft exposes the disparity between the American Dream and the truth, hypocrisy reveals a heart misaligned with God’s word. Both serve as sobering reminders that not all that glitters is gold—and not everything that appears secure is truly safe.
When worldly systems betray those they were meant to serve, and when appearances hide rot within, Jesus calls us back to what endures: truth, the eternal value of God’s word.
When Glory Fades
In Massachusetts, cities like Boston and Springfield have reaped millions through municipal tax foreclosures—profits made at the expense of struggling homeowners. Boston collected $1.6 million in unpaid taxes by seizing 45 properties, yet those homes were worth $12.2 million. Springfield’s actions were even more staggering: $3.5 million in taxes collected through 129 foreclosures, with an estimated $15 million in homeowner equity wiped out. These numbers are not just statistics—they represent families, heritage, and lifetimes of investment lost in an instant (Arsenault).
Legal challenges now rise from the ashes. In Greenfield, two residents are fighting back after their properties were taken and sold, with the city keeping the excess proceeds. Their lawsuit may shift the legal tide, pressing the courts to address what many are calling a constitutional injustice. If successful, it could force a reckoning with practices that have long gone unquestioned.
“All flesh is grass… The grass withered, the flower faded… but the word of our God shall stand forever” (Isaiah 40:6–8).
Glory—whether municipal power, wealth, or even homeownership—is fleeting. What seems solid today can vanish tomorrow. Yet, the word of God stands unmoved. While the world may praise systems that prosper at the expense of the weak, God’s standard never changes. God's word endures—even when the world's glory fades like grass in the wind.
The Only Perspective That Matters
In Nebraska, Kevin Fair lost his home over a mere $588 in unpaid property taxes—a debt that swelled to over $5,000 through interest and fees. A private investor seized the opportunity, foreclosing on the home and taking ownership. But unlike most cases, Fair fought back. After six years of litigation, he reclaimed his property, sparking public outrage and prompting legislative reform. Nebraska’s new laws now offer stronger protections for homeowners and place limits on investor profits in tax foreclosure cases (Elliott).
“This wasn’t just about money—it was about justice,” Fair said. “No one should lose their home over a few hundred dollars.” His words were clear: justice is not about what systems can legally take—it’s about doing what is right. Jesus speaks directly to this shift in perspective:
“But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear, which after it hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear this” (Luke 12:5).
This is not fear in the sense of dread, but reverence—a call to focus not on the power of man, but on the authority of God's word. Since God's word is the only one that endures, then it must become the lens through which we view everything: our lives, our worth, and our possessions. Systems may fail, laws may falter, but God’s word never will. It is the only perspective that truly matters.
Value That Cannot Be Washed Away
On the shores of Nantucket Island, the Atlantic Ocean is rewriting the story of property and endurance. A beachfront home once valued near $2 million recently sold for just $200,000, a casualty of relentless coastal erosion (Abel). Jane Carlin and Ben Gifford, the former owners, watched year by year as the sea claimed more of their land. “We knew the risks, but we didn’t expect it to happen this fast,” Carlin said.
Their loss is not isolated. All along the Eastern Seaboard, rising seas and intensifying storms are eating away at both coastlines and the value of the homes built upon them. As insurance companies raise premiums or pull out entirely, homeowners are left vulnerable—financially and physically. “Climate change isn’t just an environmental crisis—it’s an economic one,” warned Dr. Lisa Palmer.
Into this shifting, unstable world, Jesus speaks in Luke 12:6–7: “Are not five sparrows sold for two cents, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
Here is our true worth—in the eyes of the God who sees all. When the glory fades, Jesus reminds us that nothing—not even a sparrow—escapes God's care. Our worth is not eroded by time nor swept away by circumstance. In Christ, it is held firm, cherished, and ever increasing.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Across America—from the tax foreclosures of Massachusetts and Nebraska to the climate-driven property losses in Nantucket—a reckoning is underway. Homeownership, once a symbol of stability and inheritance, now faces threats that lie far beyond individual control. In places like Boston and Springfield, millions in homeowner equity have vanished through aggressive tax collection practices. In Nebraska, a $588 debt nearly cost Kevin Fair his home. And on Nantucket Island, rising seas are turning million-dollar properties into liabilities.
Advocates are now calling for change. In Washington, federal legislation is being proposed to prevent municipalities from keeping surplus equity from foreclosure sales. Nebraska has already enacted reforms to protect vulnerable homeowners from predatory lien practices. These actions signal a broader awakening: property rights are being reexamined with justice, fairness, and resilience. This national moment calls us to reflect not just on law and policy, but on identity and belonging (Elliott and Ernsthausen).
“Ye were created of the dust of the earth… But behold, it belongs to him who created you” (Mosiah 2:25.)
All that we possess—including our homes—is ultimately God’s. And what belongs to God endures.
Rich in What Matters
Luke 12 presents a sobering parable about misplaced trust: a rich man amasses wealth, builds bigger barns, and celebrates his supposed security. But God interrupts with a stark reality—“Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” In that moment, everything he possesses loses value, including his life, because it was not rooted in God's word.
Jesus’ words are not a rejection of planning or possessions, but a shift in perspectives. Our value is not found in the world’s glory—it is found in God's eternal word, and it never fades. Isaiah 40:8 declares, “The word of our God shall stand forever.” And Jesus affirms in Luke 12:6–7 that even the sparrows are not forgotten by God—how much more, then, are we remembered and valued?
In a world where homes can be claimed by the sea and equity can be taken, God's word preserves our dignity and heritage. Everything is renewed by the gospel: what is buried becomes visible, what is weak becomes valued, and what is transient acquires enduring value when it is entrusted to God's everlasting word. The word that remains, rich in spirit and truth, sustains God’s glory.
Works Cited
