What Must I Do?

Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."

Matthew 18:3 

 

A young man approached Jesus.  It was easy to see this young man had done very well for himself and could most likely be able to buy whatever he wanted without really noticing the expense.  This young man had heard Jesus teach on the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life.  And that is exactly what he wanted.  Imagine living forever with all the wealth you could ever need!  That sounded like a wonderful business investment.  So he came to Jesus and asked, "What must I do to receive this eternal life?" Jesus told the young man that he knew the commandments, and the young man said he had kept them since he was a child.  Then Jesus said, "One thing you lack, go see all you have and give the money to the poor, then come follow me."

 

I admit, there's a part of me that still struggles with Jesus telling this guy to go and sell all he has and give the money to the poor.  I mean, if you have THAT much wealth at your disposal, just think how Jesus' ministry could have grown.  Jesus could have started His own mega-church with campuses in every town and village, He could stop this walking from place to place because He could be carried on a litter from town to town, He could wear those expensive attention-getting robes, eat the fine foods, the whole gamut.  But Jesus knew that temptation, and Jesus knew this young man was wanting something tangible he could buy or some deed so he could have eternal life AND keep all his stuff.

 

Jesus wants our willingness to become childlike in our faith, without the cynicism, without the judgmentalism, without the grudges, without the arguing, without folks vying for power.  Jesus has been the epitome of love, pure and simple, and that is what attracts people to Him.  And that is what we receive to share from Him. 

Money Just Can't Buy...

Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and rich.

~Proverbs 28:6

You see it quite frequently, people wanting to impress others with their money.  Where they got their money is irrelevant to them, all they care is they have wads of it and everyone else doesn't.  Doesn't that impress you?

 

You see...money can buy any number of things:

     - cars

     - houses

     - boats

     - trips

     - jewelry

     - gadgets

 

While having those things might appear impressive, my question is this: if you have all this money, how are you helping others? Okay, I'll admit it, I was stunned and rather impressed when I saw a man who had purchased a golden toilet.  But then, my sweet Bride reminded me that this man spent quite a lot on a device that is merely a waste disposal unit.

 

The things that should impress us are the things that cannot be purchased:

     - honesty

     - love

     - integrity

     - courtesy

     - caring

     - loyalty

 

Remember the story of the Prodigal Son?  He got his inheritance and went off and spent it freely.  As long as he had money to spend, he had 'friends' to help him.  Where were those 'friends' when the young man had to slop pigs? 

 

Remember the Rich Young Ruler who asked Jesus what he needed to do to gain eternal life?  He was trying to work a bargain, and was absolutely crushed when he found out that Eternal Life cannot be bought, sold, or earned!

Say what you will, but it is better to be poor and honest than rich and hellbound.