Thought for today – Could you give it all up?

As you all know, we’re in the middle of financial crisis.  A 90 year old woman just recently tried to commit suicide when her local sheriff came to evict her from her home because she had fallen behind on mortgage payments.  Then there’s the family in Los Angeles who were all found dead in their home from gun shot wounds…all at the hands of the father, and all because of this financial crisis.  Those are drastic measures to take.

But, here’s something to think about.  If Jesus were to come and ask you to give up everything you own and follow him, could you do it?  Would you do it willingly or would you tell Jesus, “let me think about it”.

Read about the young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22 who is asked a similar question:

¹⁶And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ¹⁷And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. ¹⁸He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, ¹⁹Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. ²⁰The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? ²¹Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. ²²But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

In the following verses, Jesus then goes on to tell his disciples:

²³Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. ²⁵When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? ²⁶But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. ²⁷Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? ²⁸And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. ³⁰But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

So, could you give it all up and follow Jesus?  It would be hard, I know.  Sadly, at first, I can see myself being like the young ruler and not wanting to give it all up.  But then I would trust and believe the promise that Jesus makes in verse 29.  After all, everything we have was given to us by God in the first place.

Thanks AR for this thought for today.