Would you do it?
This one is mainly for my Christian readers but I am curious as to what others think.
As I was meditating this morning the following question popped in my mind:
If the call of Jesus was to actually sell everything you have and give it to the poor and then follow him--
would you do it?
Would you?
17 Comments:
I read that today too. Having been raised in a Christian home and therefore having these values all of my life I would like to think that if that were a command I would have never accumulated so much stuff....
If it was revealed to me now that this was his will, I would like to think that I would. If it were my decision alone I know I would, having an unbelieving spouse makes the decision harder. Maybe I could just leave it all with him....
Very good thought, man. Such a simple question and yet so profound.
I heard a similar question asked on financial strategist Dave Ramsey's radio show. The question was, "Dave, since Christ said that 'it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God,' can you be rich and be a Christian?"
To this, Dave - to my surprise - answered, "No, you can't." He said that as followers of Jesus, we must consider all of our possessions God's and we must be willing to drop them all at a moment's notice if God asks. We are simply borrowers, not owners. I thought that was interesting, coming from a conservative.
Did Jesus say that to the rich, young ruler so that he could know how to finally work his way into heaven? I don't think so... I think he wanted to make the point that rule-based religious thinking could never gain you entry into the kingdom. No matter how many rules you follow, there will alway be one that holds you back. I think He came to say that it's not about the rules, it's about His love. You don't earn your way into heaven, but you get in because He says so. The message is... give up your religious thinking and striving, because it's not about what you do... it's about who you are... His creation. Can you understand that? Rest in that. Let His love overwhelm you into His peace. Enjoy it all, and let His love draw you in even more.
I'm pretty wacky, huh? ;-)
Thanks for the comments.
Uh, Bruce. I appreciate the enthusiasm, but what about the question? :) Yes, you are whacky, and that is why I like you.
I hope that I would. Presumably if that were the case, he'd have something in mind for us to do. I mean, besides sit around being hungry and cold.
If that WAS the call of Jesus, then yes we should. But, that was just my point. That wasn't the call of Jesus any more than it is to gouge your eyes out because you've looked upon evil, or cut your hands off because they have caused you to sin. To me, the question is whether or not He would ask us to do these things... or did He actually have another reason for saying it? Was He trying to show us how vain it is to think that we can gain entry into heaven by the things we do (or don't do), or is it simply a matter of trusting that He really is the Christ?
It's not a matter of "doing" (which is religion), but it is a matter of "trusting" (which is faith). The problem has been all along that we want to do something to prove ourselves worthy, when it is HIM who proved us worthy.
did it. would do it again.
I see Bruce's point, and I agree that if it were the call of Jesus then if one was a follower of Him then you'd be compelled to give up everything (wealth or otherwise). I don't necessarily think it's impossible to be rich and to follow Jesus though; like Bruce said, everyone has a constraint, and that man in the Bible had the constraint of his wealth. Wealth is something that people (due to human nature) are very attached to; it provides a source of comfort, stability and security (something most tend to strive for). Thus those that have it would find it as hard as any other constraint to give up.
However, I have a feeling that I, personally, wouldn't give up what I have here for Jesus, perhaps because I have strange ideas on the Jesus thing and probably don't have a relationship with Him.
xxxx
P.s. Rick, whenever you have the time (or boredom!) - if poss, would be very interested to hear your thoughts on heaven/hell/salvation!! :)
"We are simply borrowers, not owners." Sounds like he's read "The Treasure Principle."
I would like to think I could do it. In the past it hasn't been easy to wrestle away from things that God called me to...but not for lack of trying on my part!
Thanks folks. :)
The question was a simple question. I didn't ask "WHAT" one thinks the call is. :)
Bruce, I asked "IF" it were the call-- to sell everything and give it to the poor-- would you?
There's alot of trust in the doing. I imagine that trust with out doing is really not trust, but that wasn't my question. :)
I don't know...I HOPE so.....
Rick, I would never in a million years write you off. I left a comment for you on my blog as to why I don't always leave a comment here. I know, I'm silly about stuff.
As for this question, I don't know...if I KNEW it was what God wanted me to do I think I would be compelled to obey in order to have peace, but its not something I would choose for myself.
If Jesus showed up at my home and I asked him what I ha to do to inherit eternal life and he told me follow the commandments, then I would say I have followed them all my life (give or take a slip up or two). If he then said, only one thing remains for and that is to go and sell all that I have, give the proceeds to the poor, and then follow him, then that is what I would do.
All that is to say that I believe Jesus' answer to the rich young man was specific to him and a generalization to everyone else. As in, "Don't get too hung up on money or possessions or I'm going to tell you the same thing..."
In the meantime,I like what you say about not having the courage to follow Jesus, so you settle for being a Christian. I try to do that as well.
-R
Nope.
But that is the call, if you take the book at its word.
Would you go be a missionary to Muslims?
Most won't. I went. For awhile.
It is another "call."
We can all deconstruct till we're blue in the face to feel better about not doing these things. And we do. That's what Christians are good at.
We must, because the radical call isn't what most people can live with. We don't really believe Jesus expects that of us... we may not even really believe Jesus said it or meant it. And we certainly don't think he'd say it to Americans who earned their right to their homes the old fashioned way... by working hard in a free market economy.
Let me preface my answer by saying I've been a pastor for almost four years, and was an assistant pastor a couple years before that. (I've heard folks discuss this many times as have I.) And this has to be one of the most thought provoking questions I've ever seen on a Christian (or as someone I know calls it "God blog") blog. Not only Jesus' encounter with the rich fellow, but also the early church gave all that they had and went from house to house sharing the gospel. I believe that we (as Christians, followers of Christ) must allow the Lord to lead us in everything we do. I know that all I have belongs to Him and I am only a steward of it. More than giving EVERYTHING I have once, I find it more of a challenge to give until it hurts when led to do so. There are times that I will be led to give someone $20, $30, even $50 or more all at once. It used to be really difficult to let go and let God so to speak. But after some missed opportunities now I just do what I'm told. Sometimes it happens when I don't have enough for bills or other things that I may need, but I do what I'm told because God is my provider and again, I'm only a steward of everything I have. I distribute it around where He leads me to. In so doing I'm not a rich man in the sense the world sees it. But I'm doing OK, and everything is paid on time. I'm sorry I blabbed so long.......you know.....get a preacher going and look out. Hehehehe. Have a wonderful day, and a blessed weekend. :-) James PS: I really enjoyed reading all the responses to this question. Very good stuff.
one of my girlfriend's brothers really did this - his family thought he was nuts, and it turned out he was - he gave it all away and left his family, but for the generosity of family members, homeless.
it has made me think so much - i have to admit i was a bit angry at god that he didn't do anything miraculous in this case. but again, i don't know the man's heart - or his level of sanity. i just know that he took this literally and ended up finished. (so far...)
does it not depend upon our level of obedience?
how often have i heard that voice say "you are full," and yet take one more bite? or "give the $50, not the $20" and rationalize why i need the $50 more than "the church" (insert special needs person here) needs the $20?
i can only pray for my level of obedience to be such that it would align with heart and my head if the Master desired that of me.
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