In our Life Group we have been going through the series, "Not a Fan." We just finished week three and it definitely has spurred on good conversation with in our group. I had a good conversation tonight with a group member that had been thinking about the scripture we explored last night in Matthew Chapter 19. I was glad to hear he had been chewing on the ideas we explored the night before, because I too had been doing the same.
You see last night we explored the account of the "Rich Young Ruler." In this account a rich asked Jesus, "What good deed must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus first reply basically told him follow my commandments and love your neighbor has yourself. The rich man said he had done those things, but he insisted to know what more must he do. This man obviously not realizing eternal life was standing right in front of him in the person of Jesus. He was under the impression that some good work could get him into heaven, Jesus set him straight about eternal life. Good works are not going to do it, that's not what it's about. Jesus says, "Sell your stuff, leave it behind, and Follow Me." The rich man walked away head hanging in sadness because the cost of following Jesus was too much for him.
What about me? What about you? What's our cost of following Jesus? I know that in our American culture the cost is seemingly low for following Jesus. We live in a free country right? No threat of death for following Jesus. True, and we also live in a country that the poorest person isn't even close to as poor as those in 3rd world nations. A few verses down in Matthew 19:23-24 Jesus brings it strong saying, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I'll say it again, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven." Wow. "I mean Jesus, seriously. I go to church on Sunday. I even sacrifice 30 to 45 minutes of my time as a door greeter for the church every other month. I'm doing my part Jesus. What do you want from me?" Jesus answer is, "Follow me. Surrender everything. Even your money." You see, Jesus doesn't want us to be a spectator like we are of our favorite team. Jesus never wanted fans. Fans watch the game and can be fickle. Followers are in the game and are all in on the vision and direction Jesus has for their lives, their families and the church. Jesus wants us to surrender our finances. As Christians we need to be giving our tithes and offerings at church. If you are truly tithing it is a sacrifice at times, but that is exactly what makes it so powerful. Test God and tithe. I am not saying he is going to bless you with a million dollars or money of any type, but I am saying he will bless you in ways you couldn't imagine. He will show you his power when money is tight and you don't know how you are going to pay that bill. He will honor his word and show his provision in your life in more ways than just financially. I challenge you to tithe and see what God does. It's biblical right? If I asked you if you thought the bible was the infallible Word of God, I have a hunch you would say "Of course it is!" Then why don't we trust God when it comes to our money and tithing?
Talking about money gets people on edge. It is probably one of the most tangible examples of what we are talking about here. However, following Jesus isn't all about money. The cost to following Jesus is deeper than that. Holding tight onto your money may be the physical manifestation of something much deeper. Following Jesus means you quit putting yourself before God. Has your pride made you a worshiper of self? You might be reading this now and saying, "What are we even talking about here? This dude is getting crazy." Think about it though the bible warns against idols. Anything that we place before God is an idol. Are you placing your trust in God or in yourself? It is easy to do this in our culture because we do lead comfortable lives and we look at our houses, cars and jobs and say, "Look what I've accomplished." We live in an I and me society. Our pride swells and we don't give credit where credit is due. We live like we don't need God.
So, even in this comfortable American Culture following Jesus does have a cost. The cost of following Jesus is giving him your whole life. Not just portions of it or compartmentalizing him into the areas you choose. Jesus wants ALL of you. When Jesus said "Pick up your cross and follow me," that is exactly what he wants. He wants you to follow him at all costs. In the good times or in the bad times he wants you to be obedient to his word and trust him with the details of your life. The cost of following Jesus is your life. It isn't always easy, but it is worth it. It is the only hope you can count on. Jesus loves us so much and has our best interests in mind. He desperately wants us to have a deeper surrender to him, in order to help us live greater lives for him.
The Rich Young Ruler couldn't count the cost. He had pride in his possessions and wealth. He couldn't let go and count the cost. We have to now ask ourselves, "Can I count the cost? Am I a fan or am I a follower?"
Talking about money gets people on edge. It is probably one of the most tangible examples of what we are talking about here. However, following Jesus isn't all about money. The cost to following Jesus is deeper than that. Holding tight onto your money may be the physical manifestation of something much deeper. Following Jesus means you quit putting yourself before God. Has your pride made you a worshiper of self? You might be reading this now and saying, "What are we even talking about here? This dude is getting crazy." Think about it though the bible warns against idols. Anything that we place before God is an idol. Are you placing your trust in God or in yourself? It is easy to do this in our culture because we do lead comfortable lives and we look at our houses, cars and jobs and say, "Look what I've accomplished." We live in an I and me society. Our pride swells and we don't give credit where credit is due. We live like we don't need God.
So, even in this comfortable American Culture following Jesus does have a cost. The cost of following Jesus is giving him your whole life. Not just portions of it or compartmentalizing him into the areas you choose. Jesus wants ALL of you. When Jesus said "Pick up your cross and follow me," that is exactly what he wants. He wants you to follow him at all costs. In the good times or in the bad times he wants you to be obedient to his word and trust him with the details of your life. The cost of following Jesus is your life. It isn't always easy, but it is worth it. It is the only hope you can count on. Jesus loves us so much and has our best interests in mind. He desperately wants us to have a deeper surrender to him, in order to help us live greater lives for him.
The Rich Young Ruler couldn't count the cost. He had pride in his possessions and wealth. He couldn't let go and count the cost. We have to now ask ourselves, "Can I count the cost? Am I a fan or am I a follower?"
