Some of you know that I've been wrestling with something over the last week or so. It's something that I don't know if I've ever seen anyone do. It's something Jesus said.
"Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it."
(luke 12:33)
I've had a few conversations with some friends about this. A general initial response is, 'well, if we give up everything for the poor, then real quickly we'll be poor and will have no way to help others.' The only problem with this is that many of the versus before this one seem to be preparing us in advance so that we won't try to make that defense.
"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing."
After reading this, I asked myself, if I trust God, then why do I feel like I can't do this? I don't really own a lot of things, and I could easily continue to go to work even after selling everything, so it seems like it should be easier for me to do this than many other people. So why is it so hard? Is it because I don't trust? I don't think so. I don't think I could easily get myself to go bungie jumping, but it isn't because I think that the line would snap and I'd get hurt. More than that, I'm even confident that it would be an incredible experience that I would remember for years to come. The thing that makes bungie jumping easier is that all it takes is for you to have one split second of courage for you to jump off. After that you're already in it. If you suddenly become too fearful... well, it doesn't matter... because you're in the air.
But this leap of faith that is my potential life, doesn't seem to happen in an instant. It takes commitment and devotion. When God told Noah to build an ark, Noah didn't just say, "ok... whew! THAT was quite the leap of faith!" No, it was a long, ongoing LIFE lived devoted to God through living by faith.
I would like to know other people's thoughts and feelings about this.
sell: (pōleō) sell or barter
give: (didōmi) to give something to someone
a) of one's own accord to give one something, to his advantage
1) to bestow a gift
b) to grant, give to one asking, let have
c) to supply, furnish, necessary things
d) to give over, deliver
1) to reach out, extend, present
2) of a writing
3) to give over to one's care, intrust, commit
a) something to be administered
b) to give or commit to some one something to be religiously observed
e) to give what is due or obligatory, to pay: wages or reward
f) to furnish, endue
3 comments:
I think I was one of the ones you're talked to about this... so, we'll just talk about face to face again, I'm sure. Thanks for writing.
I think your scripture reference was supposed to be Luke 12:33, not 23:33...typo!
The key to understanding and applying this is verse 34: are you treasuring your possessions more than your relationship with the Lord? Have you stewarded well what is your Master's? Are you glad to give it away?
Jesus isn't looking for you to sell ALL your possessions and clothes, but to sell and give as necessary to be able to help your neighbor. Don't become so attached to something that you cannot bear to sell it or give it away when called to (I wonder about me and my macbook at times!). God can provide more when He is given full control.
Gal 1:15-17
"15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus."
If you feel the Spirit calling you to obey the difficult words of Christ, then don't "confer with flesh and blood," but simply act. The Lord won't force or urge you anymore than He already has. Don't allow man or foe the time to justify otherwise. Don't do it for your glory; do it for His.
Trusting God fully is a very freeing, courageous act, and is a personal dealing. It is also a gift of the Spirit: 1 Cor 12:9 "to another faith by the same Spirit." This is stupid-to-the-world faith, a supernatural amount of faith that will bring rain in a drought, faith that we can ask our Good Father for. Just a minuscule amount will get us off that ledge and plunging toward the valley, attached to the Bungee that is Christ's infallible word and unbreakable promise.
Its funny how you can learn about yourself by helping a brother...let's see, now what do I need to sell or give today?
typo indeed!
It's funny, when I read that thing from Utmost, my first thought was about all of this stuff.
I think you're right. It's all about faith and love. Jesus trying to get us to really consider what we have faith in (God, or only tangible objects) and who we love (ourselves only, or ourselves and others).
I like that "stupid-to-the-world" part. Good words, Josh.
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