True Wealth

The Rich Man —

Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

“Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”

“Which ones?” the man asked.

And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.”

“I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

(Matthew 19.16 - 22 NLT)

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This story gets me every time. I long to know what the rest of the rich man's life looked like. 

I imagine he went home torn, wanting the riches of this world but also the fullness of the Lord. That flesh/Spirit battle resonates with me. Perhaps the man went to the temple the next Sabbath and tithed a bit more. Maybe he memorized some more scriptures and devoted himself to more volunteer work. Whatever he did, a life that walks away from Jesus sounds like a pretty empty life to me. 

Can you imagine if he would've sold everything and followed Jesus? He would've been part of the greatest story in history. He would've witnessed Jesus walk out of His own grave. Maybe he wouldn't have the prestige of "The Rich Man" in scripture anymore, but he could've been known as "The Man Sold Out on Jesus". He would've had to sacrifice family, possessions, future plans, yes—but in return, he would have experienced abundant, full, true, wild life. 

This is the cost. 

The world will tell you that wealth looks like a big house and a three car garage and a retirement plan. But Jesus demonstrated what true wealth is. 

The wealth that Jesus speaks of is a full and true life. And I have discovered the secret to this wealth: GIVE YOUR LIFE AWAY.  Serve everyone.

Be interruptible. Sacrifice everything. Abandon your flesh's desires and never look back.  Give your life away and you will find it. 

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It's week four in India and I feel like I've been here a thousand years, but in the best way. This life has become so normal. Waking up at least five times during the night, washing my hair under the faucet, doing laundry every other day (because I had the genius idea of only bringing like two pairs of pants), going through two bottles of bug spray a week, always being asked for selfies with random people, bartering for 10 cents off a tuktuk ride... I'm convinced that the days in India are twice as long as they are in the States (though I'm not sure how scientifically accurate that is). 

Life here is beautiful and challenging and beyond my wildest dreams. It's crazy because we lack so many physical luxuries. And there are times I really want a warm shower or literally 10 minutes alone or more than 5 hours of sleep a night. Yet I am finding that the richness of a life with Jesus surpasses the wealth of the world every. single. time. 

Jesus is ridiculously satisfying.

I can't even begin to explain how ecstatic I am to be alive, blood pulsing through my veins. I have lungs that can breathe and legs that can run and arms that can pick up tiny babies—and in this very moment, that is more than enough. 

I have never felt further from my flesh and closer to the Spirit of Jesus. 

A wealth like that? Well, that is worth spending my entire life for. 

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Prayer Requests: For clarity, direction, discernment, and peace about my future after the trip

Reflection Questions (for us to consider together): We crave to know the Father, but are we seeking to know Him?