Most of us have heard this said a million times, but how do we make it real in our lives? What sort of application does this instruction from Jesus actually have? The next verse hits the hardest: "For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:25).
Over the past few months, I have been especially considering how much of my life is lived for me. How often do I find myself asking questions like "What do I want?" and "Is this the best choice for me?" when I should be asking "What is the Lord's will? How can I bring glory to Him?" and "How can I serve others?" I think life has changed for me as I have come to understand that its purpose is far more eternal than temporal. This world will pass away. I say that not in the least to suggest that things we do in this life don't matter or that we shouldn't enjoy and get the most out of our lives, but rather quite the opposite.
As we lose ourselves in Jesus, every pleasure and joy in life is magnified. For he is the Creator of all things good. As I sit at my favorite table at The Muse Coffee Co. sipping a white chocolate mocha that Brian made for me out of a red mug, I can't seem to stop this huge smile from spreading across my face as I think about how much better Jesus makes everything! The days I don't read my Bible or pray I notice such a difference.
Right now, my heart is literally racing as I revel in the joy that I have in my Savior. [Oh man, a doo wop version of "Stacey's Mom" just started playing in here. I know that's totally off topic but this is hilarious. Jesus has to be laughing too.]
Anywhays (said like Jack Black in Nacho Libre), I was just reading farther in Luke, contemplating in the back of my mind ways in which I can die to myself and live for Christ and as thoughts of being a friend to people I don't particularly like and volunteering at nursing homes ran through my mind, I came across a verse a few chapters later that really spoke volumes about the life application of Luke 9:23-25. Luke 12:33-34 says, "Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I love how Scripture all ties together.
So I'm thinking, "how can I do this?" I don't think Jesus necessarily meant the we all have to sell everything. I think he was just making a point. Rather, I think this verse means I should think about how much I have compared to how much others need. How much to I need and how can I give. I believe in giving far above and beyond "10%". The question shouldn't be how much do I have to give, but how much can I give?
After contemplating all these things and becoming very excited in my desire to live a life of generosity, giving, loving, serving and taking up my cross, I then came home and listened to a sermon podcast from Matt Chandler. He spoke about the parable of the steward in Luke. As this post is already getting rather long, I won't go into detail, but it just further reinforced the importance of giving. Not storing up treasures on earth. Making a life that serves Jesus my goal.
*Download Matt Chandler's sermon on iTunes through "The Village Church." The sermon is dated 11/22/08. Definitely worth your time to listen.
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