June 6, 2020

June 6

Running With Jesus

Luke 18:22b-23 Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

     Today the rich man asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life.  Jesus answered by telling him, “you know the commandments: you must not commit adultery, murder, steal, testify falsely and honor your father and mother. He responded he had done all these things since his youth. Jesus then brings him to reality, He gets into his pocketbook! He had no trouble doing all the others because he was wealthy. The problem came because “he loved his money”.  It gave him security. It was more important in life than God. This man left sad.  God doesn’t always ask us to sell everything to follow him. Some he does and some don’t. However, He does ask us to get rid of anything that we are doing that is more important than Him.

     First things must be first!” Mike said teaching Genesis chapter one.  In the beginning was God.  When we put God first the other things in life will have order. If you read the rest of the chapter we find order in the universe, order in the life of man. It is when we don’t keep Him first our lives are void and without form (no purpose).

     God wants us to be good stewards of our money and if we let Him be the Lord of our lives there will be balance and order.  Stop living by the world system let God give you peace, security and purpose. You will not leave sad. You see when you strive always to make the next dollar you will have less because you will not be content in your work, in your home and in life. You will not be a good employee because you will never have enough you will always feel like you need a little more. Stop running to and fro ask God to help you be content.  Get active in ministry. Look at work as ministry to help others. Back to the pocketbook, you pay taxes with no question don’t rob God and learn to tithe and give offerings.  This reveals if you have God in first place. And you are not doing this to get more money but because you love God. The rich man loved his money more.

Father, take it all we want You to be our first love.  Give us the Spirit of contentment and security. Help us to love You more than life itself. Show us to turn everything we do into acts of service for Your glory and help others.

What is impossible with man is possible with God, tomorrow! See you then.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015