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Wanna Trade?
In this passage, Jesus reminds the Rich Ruler of the latter five commandments. It is interesting to note that Jesus focuses on the commandments that concern our treatment of others. The Ruler responds that he has kept these commandments. Under the old conditional covenant, I would guess that the Ruler feels he is justified in being so bold because his actions have been rewarded with wealth. But Jesus then draws the Ruler’s attention to matters of the heart, not just actions. He asks the Ruler to give away his wealth, and allow God to replace his earthly “reward” with treasure in heaven.
I began to consider what holds me back from following Jesus in full obedience. What do I value about my life on this earth that Jesus would like for me to submit to Him, so that He can replace it with something more eternally priceless? What do I keep to myself, rather than being filled with the best that Jesus has to offer? What does God want me to give to Him so that He can use me to bless others here on earth?
Do we stuff our emptiness with fatty, sugar, salty food and other addictions? Do we use anger to control others instead of submitting to God and using self-control? Do we settle for sex outside of marriage, instead of patiently seeking God’s companionship and a holy marriage? Do we idolize our children and leave them undisciplined, desperately seeking their love and acceptance? Do we stay late at a job where we find a trace of the respect this world has to offer, instead of obeying God’s commands about being a persevering and loving spouse and parent?
I am grateful that God is holy and will not tolerate these shortcomings in His bride. He will graciously allow us to settle for our meager, chosen rewards, or take from us what we offer to Him as a sacrifice and use it for eternity. God has promised a bounty of eternal blessings if only we would give up our “treasured things” and trade with Him.
This passage seems so true, but it also seems extreme. Part of me wants to take the easy way out and say that Jesus was specifically speaking to the rich man’s weakness. I then want to rationalize and say that Jesus doesn’t really want us to give up our wealth, but rather be better stewards of it. This type of thinking is easier for me…but is it accurate? Thanks Cheri for some thought provoking content.
Cheri thanks for all you do for God and CCC. My question is not what holds me back from full obedience but what does full obedience look like? The ruler was asked to give up his treasure his wealth. Our missionaries in Greece Stephan and Mary were asked to give up family ,friends, a home they loved and go to Greece to serve. When God asks me to do something or go somewhere or speak to someone do I do it? It doesn’t have to be big and flashy or even something I would be recognised for. But I have to obey. God asks us to do little things every day are we obeying?
Guilty as charged. We are to confess to one another right? When I don’t feel close to God, that simply means that I have put something in the way. That something is the thing that I just get rid of. For me lately, it has been time used concentrating on the yard sale that we had this past Saturday. My week was consumed in it. When we were not meeting, I was shopping, making signs, pricing, telling people about it. I filled my time with all that “stuff” rather than put God first.
This is not to say that what I did was not important, I just got them in the wrong order.
Thanks Cheri for this reminder. I will contemplate your thoughts about what I would be asked to let go of and see it replaced with eternal things. This is so hard when your in the forest.