We had a yard sale over Labor Day that gave us opportunity to share with many how God has been working in our life. I was asked if it was hard to sell all this stuff. In one sense it is exciting to be free from this stuff and yet I do not want to mislead that it is all easy. The thing that surprises us the most is the things that spark emotions. Many times it is not so much the value of the object but rather what it signifies in our life that causes the flood of emotions. We continue to say that God has given us the grace to part with these things easier than one might expect.
My attention has been drawn to the conversation Jesus had with the rich man in Mark 10:17-31. Before Jesus told him to sell everything and give it to the poor, the Bible said Jesus looked at the man and loved him. I have always concluded that this was a select incident and I did not have to consider this. I always thought I was not rich but I have recently realized like never before that from the perspective of two thirds of the world I am a wealthy man.
So where is the love in this I ask? I have started to reflect on how everything I own demands time and effort to maintain. Things have a way of controlling our resources, time and thought process. This leads me to wonder do I own them or do they own (control) me? I have started to realize that Jesus’ love was expressed to the rich man to sell all he had, give to the poor and follow Him. This was an invitation to be freed to live a life that would better glorify God. Glorifying God is why we were created and this will be the only way to have a fulfilled life. I am not saying we must sell everything to glorify God but I am saying we should not be so quick to pass by these verses thinking they have no application to our life. God has blessed us with many resources that He expects us to use to make his name famous throughout the world. YOU ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING! Mike