THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:18-30
“When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.” (Luke 18:23)
Would you rather have many people thankful in heaven for how you blessed them?
Or fewer people thankful because you kept most of your wealth for yourself.
To use most of your money for yourself, or to use most of it for others?
In this story Jesus is revealing my heart, my deeper love.
To be honest, I have a hard time being generous with others.
Don’t get me wrong, I give a percentage of my wealth… but that is the problem.
My wealth… my assumption that it is mostly mine to spend on myself.
Like this rich man, I am trying to find the formula for faith and finances.
How much do I have to do, how much do I have to give, how much is enough?
Jesus rejects the ‘how much is enough’ focus, because that focus is selfish.
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle…” (Luke 18:25)
I admit that what Jesus says is very hard for me, and I am wrestling with it.
The Lord is working on my heart, challenging my priorities and loves, but I am slow.
Unlike this man, I will not walk away from Jesus… but I do feel like a camel.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that it is possible for me to be saved too. Keep on challenging me with the joy of the kingdom, until I care more for blessing others than for blessing myself.