1/19/ 1972
Lk. 18–‘Go sell all you have, give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven, then come follow me.’
A young ruler was still not satisfied, although he was very rich. He went to Jesus and said ‘Good teacher, what can I do to inherit everlasting life?’ Jesus asked him if he knew the commandments– do not murder, do not steal, do not lie, honor your father and mother.’ The young man replied ‘ever since I was very young, I have obeyed all the commandments.’ Jesus said, ‘you need to do one thing more– go sell all you have and give money to the poor, and then come follow me and I will give you riches in heaven.’ But when Jesus said this, the young man hung his head as this made him very sad for he was very rich. He worshipped his money, he valued it above God’s promise, how true this is for too many people today. They take God for granted.
The greatest challenge for this day and time is expressed in a simple question- will we take our Christian faith seriously. If our answer is yes, we must put our faith into action, on a personal, social, and national level. Can we accumulate while there are those who die of hunger and be satisfied with ourselves. Does any nation or people have a right to make decisions that will affect adversely other people of the world? Christ is requiring of us an honest and courageous examination of our own type of Christianity. He himself said ‘if anyone would come after me, let him take up his cross and follow me.’ Only a courageous and authentic Christianity can offer itself to the world as the answer of God to its problems. If we would follow Christ we must so live, that his life and will, will be reflected in our daily life. True Christian stewardship comes to us through faith and love. The Corinthians set aside their offering regularly, they gave according as God had prospered them. If we the members of Temple Baptist Church are the church, then why shouldn’t we accept our responsibility to make our church go forward by each member having a fair share in the support, so that others might know of Christ. The second commandment says love thy neighbor as thyself. I know that each Christian rejoices in his heart to feel that he has at least a small part in spreading the Gospel and in winning lost people to Christ.
Christ gave all for us, even life itself, he gave us all we have and all we are. Then why should we hesitate to give a portion of our earnings, our time and talents to carry his program to a lost world? Love of others is the key to heaven but faith unlocks the doors. Do you have the right key or faith? Are we good stewards for Christ?
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In