10/23/2020
We desire to be men and women of faith, but are we actually focused on our wealth and means instead? Do we open our eyes in the morning and call out to a servant “Bring me my coffee and bread”? Do we sit down with a newspaper and begin our day by studying the world, and how we will increase our earthly treasure? O brothers and sisters, if we were more like the poor who open their eyes and say “Thank you Father for this day”, and “Lord, how might I serve you better?” In considering this, do we find that we worship mammon over God, or at very least do we pursue our wealth on an even plane with God?
“And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:23 ESV
Perhaps we look at our station in life and convince ourselves that we aren’t actually wealthy, no, we are just middle class, or commonplace when compared with others... thus relieving ourselves of the conviction this scripture brings, but isn’t wealth relative to the society in which we live? Is a man who is considered wealthy in a country where people scratch out a meager existence from drought and starvation, and must leave their homes to survive; is this man the same as one considered wealthy in a country that has plenty to eat, drink, and whose commerce is booming? No, God compares us one with another equally around the world... sin is sin despite where we live, or whether we consider ourselves wealthy or not. It is true that worshipping $100 in Somalia or $100,000 in the United States, is still worshipping something other than God. A family that breaks the corner off its last loaf of bread to feed their neighbor, or another who gives an equivalent portion of their larger wealth, are sacrificing equally, but a wealthy family that gives only a corner of a single loaf, and says they are giving equally to this family, when they have hundreds of loaves in their pantry, these souls are lying to themselves and to God.
“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.””
Matthew 19:24 ESV
Jesus tells us about a poor widow who gave more than the wealthy... not in the amount she gave, but by the sacrifice her giving represented. Here is another example.... if I gave everything I owned to the poor, and Bill Gates gave that same dollar amount... I would be destitute and leaning on God for my survival, but Mr. Gates wouldn’t realize that his purse was any lighter, and he would still be a wealthy man. Read what Jesus said about the widow, and then ask yourself a question... did she starve to death after giving, or did God reward her faith, and provide for her out of His abundance?
“And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.””
Mark 12:41-44 ESV
So, although not everyone is asked to sell all they have and follow Jesus, we are all asked to pick up our crosses and follow Him. We are meant to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Is this how we follow? Is this how we obey when asked? Is this how we give when He asks us to sacrifice?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the many blessings in my life, and thank you for showing me how to give of myself obediently when you ask, come when you say follow me, and pick up my cross when you direct me to suffer as Jesus suffered. Father, let all my actions bring you glory whether I approach you with a widow’s mite, or the fortune of the mega rich. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who asks us to give in secret, obey without fanfare, and to pray in the privacy of our prayer closet. Praised be your name as we wake up each morning and seek you with all our heart. Wonderful are you who speaks to each believer’s heart, and tailors your requests to their lives, abilities, and strength of faith. Merciful are you, and full is your grace that flows through Jesus. Wash us clean with the blood of Christ, Father, and lead us in the paths of righteousness as we search out our salvation, and honor your name. Look upon us on the day of judgement with pleasure, and seat us in glory at your table.
“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”
1 Corinthians 10:14-16 ESV
Rich Forbes