Everything is yours

26Mar
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another,‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’

Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’ 
-Mark 10:23-31


Reading this passage, the words of my dad echo through my head, “You can’t take it with you.” So simple, but so true. In this passage, Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of needle than for a rich person to enter heaven. Initial thought is, yikes, what does Jesus have against the wealthy? Once you think about it though, it is not just that a person is rich that is a problem, but it is to be given wealth and not look to share it. Everything we have on Earth is not ours. We are just members of creation passing through and intended to use our time, talent, and treasure to do God’s work. God expects us not to be greedy and keep it all for ourselves but to share the things given with the world around us.  


Of course this causes some stress. We all have fears of what if I share too much or don’t have enough for groceries, or what if I really need something and can’t afford it? In this time of Lent, I have been trying to be more conscious of things that I buy. It is amazing how quickly we can click it on Amazon or add it to the cart these days, but do we really NEED it or is it just another THING? Maybe by holding back just a couple of times, we will have a little more to share and be able to help those around us just a bit more. 

Musical Reflection - Do With It What You Will - The Porter's Gate


I recently read this prayer in a meditation, and I thought it was too fitting not to share again…


You have given all to me, Lord; I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace; that is enough for me. Amen.

Sacrifice

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