Computer implemented method, system and computer usable program code for sharing resources among a plurality of containers in a data processing system. A computer implemented method includes creating a shared container for at least one resource to be shared. Then the at least one resource to be shared is moved from an original container of the at least one resource to the shared container, and a link is created between the original container and the at least one resource to be shared in the shared resource container. A link can also be created between a subject resource container and a shared resource in the shared resource container to enable the subject resource container to access and use the shared resource. A shared resource can also be removed from the shared resource container and returned to an original resource container when sharing of the resource is no longer desired.