In yesterday’s Gospel (Mark 10:17-22), a rich young man told Jesus he had kept all the commandments, and in an outward way he probably had. The heart, however, is a different thing, and that’s where God looks, at your heart. To make a whole-hearted disciple, Jesus told the rich man to sell everything and follow Him. Should we do that too? “Unite my heart to fear your name” (Psalm 86:11).
Can we just say Jesus is speaking figuratively? You really don’t have to get rid of everything, but do “love the Lord your God all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). But is that a way to have our cake and eat it too? “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). My opinion: Jesus means it literally, and sincere Christians are indeed doing what Jesus says.
Everything we are and have has been given to us, ultimately by our Creator and Redeemer. Believing that, we give money to the work of the church and acquire and use possessions for family and friends, the second great commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:30). Sure, we also use money to indulge ourselves, but the Spirit continues to sanctify the Christian trajectory of our lives to give it all away. Isn’t that what your will and estate plan do? Provide for family, charity, and church? “Lord, I’ve signed the documents giving it all away.” Following Jesus, don’t we zero out worldly mammon as we move toward eternity with God? “I will give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever” (Psalm 86:12).
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