Our minister gave a great sermon today about our eternal inheritance. The scripture was from Matthew 19 when Jesus tells a young man that he must sell all that he owns, give it to the poor and follow Jesus. That is what is required for the man to receive his eternal reward. So, the question I pose is "Could you give up your life for Christ?"
Now, most of us will rationalize - "yes, but they didn't have much to give up back in those days" or "well, they didn't have jobs that require them to work 10 hours a day like I do" or "life was different then, they lived in tents". But, let's be brutally honest here, if the opportunity presented itself for you to put your life on hold, leave everything behind, and do God's work, would you? Would you sell your comfortable home, give up your job and go to a strange, foreign land if God called you? If God said, I want to you live frugally and give your money to feed the poor, are you willing to trade that new SUV for a used car? Instead of buying that new computer, TV, piece of jewelry, boat, music lessons, concert tickets (these are all luxuries folks!), would you set the money aside and give it to a food bank?
I'll be as honest as I hope you will be.... I don't know if I could give up EVERYTHING! I want to believe I would, but boy do I get attached to my life! It's not that I love "things" more than God because I know it all belongs to Him. He has been generous to bless me with abilities and opportunities that have enriched my life not only with ways to glorify Him and to care for others, but also with some extra comforts of life that bring me joy. Don't we secretly think that we've earned the comforts and the lives we have? God wouldn't want me to give up everything I've worked so hard to earn, would He?
Relax, I'm not suggesting that every Christian sell their homes and all their possessions, preach on the street corners, and live in tents. Most of us will never be called to give up our homes or the comforts God has granted us. But, maybe He is speaking to you about increasing your monetary commitment to your church or to a particular charity. Oh, but I can't afford to do that this year God. I'm getting ready to pay college tuition for my child and the job market is really tough. So, there is nothing you could give up to save money to answer the Lord's call? How about that weekly (or, for some of us, daily) dinner or lunch out? Or, the $15 (or $150) bottle of wine you wanted to try? Or, the new pair of boots or athletic shoes that were on sale? What about that manicure or pedicure you get every 2 weeks? The extra recreational activity? The daily cup of Starbucks? That unnecessary, extravagant gift?
Maybe the spirit of the Lord is speaking to you about giving of yourself, but you've ignored Him thinking "I'm not qualified to do anything special", or "I don't have any spare time between caring for my family and working full-time", or "someone else with more time should do it". Really? Think about it. Think about the time you spend every week on activities that, in the scheme of life, are not all that important. I can name some...facebooking (but, I really like it!), watching mindless TV (except 24!), surfing the internet, shopping.... Amost all of us could find an hour or two each week that we could give back. Give back to God. Give back to society. Give back to others. Give back to your starving Spirit.
Next month I am giving my time to facilitate an 8 week Bible study at my church. It wouldn't have been difficult to talk myself out of this commitment with all that I have going on. Afterall, I own a business in which I work more than full time. I haven't had more than a long weekend for a vacation in over 3-1/2 years. I just finished helping my daughter plan her wedding and hosted the event. Certainly, I could use a few months to just selfishly "veg". But, God called and I am going to answer and give up the time I swear I don't have, but that I know he will create, to serve Him in the small way He is leading me today. The fact is that I will be blessed beyond measure by spending this precious time with Him and it will definitely be worth the small sacrifice! What will you do? Lent begins February 17th.
Be blessed,
Tammy
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