MARK 10:21

Jesus looked at him, and loved him, “One thing you Lack”, he said, “Go sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me.”

TO PONDER

In a recent interview, James Packer, fortune of over five billion, answered questions about his life. He appeared honest as he answered, but I found the whole story really sad, as he related failed business ventures, failed marriage and subsequent relationships, loss of friends, and continuing physical and mental health issues.  He finished the interview saying, “I’d rather be rich and unhappy than try to be poor and still be unhappy.”  I thought he must think poverty equates with unhappiness but he was not willing to try to disprove that theory.   Bit like the young man in today’s verse, he wanted to gain eternal life, he considered he'd fulfilled the necessary requirements, but when Jesus asks him to give his riches away to the poor and follow him, it is too big an ask. 

 In Romans 12:6 Paul says, “We have many different gifts according to the grace given us.” and he goes on to explain them.   There will be times God will ask us to give our time to serve him using one of these gifts. Just as he might ask us to share or even give up some of the physical riches we have been given, these are meant to share with those less fortunate not to hoard and hold close.   When we share our gifts, whether it’s at God’s request or we see a need to, that’s when we will find our true treasure in heaven.

Prayer:Gracious Father God, you are so generous in your gifts to me, help me to be generous in sharing them, whether physical or spiritual, when I see the need. May I always respond to your request that share what I have with another, may I do this willingly and with a humble heart. You know this has not always been the case, please forgive me. Amen

Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle