PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 19:16-24
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Matthew 19:21)
Jesus had a special place in His heart for children.
How much more for poor children, and for the poor in general.
The media has often used images of starving children to motivate compassion.
God sees the poor close and personal all the time, and His heart breaks.
This man was rich, he had the luxury to spend time pondering religious questions.
All around him people struggled and starved, but he had a theological question.
Jesus challenges him to look beyond himself to the people around him.
God’s kingdom is for everyone, and everyone should enjoy the kingdom life.
If we want to be kingdom citizens, we need to reflect the king’s heart.
Kingdom citizens will care more for people, and not for themselves.
We love to debate Jesus’s words “sell your possessions” or “eye of the needle”.
But meanwhile we are missing the point: “give to the poor!”.
Who are the poor around you; who needs a boost, who needs a hand up?
No more fighting about doctrine, lets be orthodox in generosity and compassion!
PRAYER
Lord, You are speaking to me. I make a living ‘talking religious stuff’, but am I making this stuff live! Enough talk, ignite my heart with Your generosity and compassion!
What are the things that I care about the most? Do they stand in the way of my devotion to Jesus? I need to regularly ask myself – to keep me from having other ‘idols’ that stand in the way! Like this rich young ruler – my self-independence often blocks me from being humbled and fully devoted. Better to leave whatever it is behind and follow Jesus! Better yet, commit whatever I have and give it to those who need – the more I have the more I have to give!