The Struggle Within...

It's tempting to think that being a Christian means giving a % of your time, talent and resources. It is natural to say to God, "I'll give youSunday morning and Wednesdaynights, but I have all the rest."

Jesus confronted this inner struggle when He responded to the Rich Young Ruler's questions that revealed this inner struggle he had. Jesus said, "Go sell all you have and give to the poor. Then come follow me."

Jesus reminded him that he was putting his confidence in his own talent, time and resources. The result, an inner struggle with not being fully connected with God and not being fully satisfied with life. I wonder if Jesus had Proverbs 11:24 on His mind when talking with this man. "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want."

Jesus boldly yet gently reminded this man, that Jesus is the owner of everything. Was Deuteronomy 8:18 on Jesus mind? "You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."

Jesus coached this man that being a follower of Jesus is about going all-in with God. All-in with your time. All-in with your talents. All-in with your resources.

Sounds crazy, but it is the best life. It is a life that becomes worry-free. We live in the truth that God owns everything and we give Him everything. This means that the all powerful, all brilliant Creator of the Universe OWNS our problems, fears and challenges. It means we unleash this generous, abundant God in our lives. It means we are no longer stiff-arming God from unleashing His resurrection power and wisdom in our lives. Knowing Jesus has our problems in His hands and on His mind results in a more and more worry-free life.

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Living all-in with Jesus also increases our peace level. Remember when the storm hit the disciples in the boat and they freaked out and feared for their lives? Finally, they went to the sleeping Jesus in the bottom of the boat and woke Him up. Result, calm in the storm - peace. Living all-in with Jesus means we are waking Jesus up (He is never sleeping in our lives. But, with our % living style, we push Jesus out of the center of our lives. In a sense putting Jesus "asleep" to us.) When Jesus is in the middle of the storm, it is always calm. Let's let Jesus have full presence in all of who we are.

Billy Graham said, "God has given us two hands--one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing."

Praying we throw the % living out of our life style.
Praying we will live all-in with our time, talent and treasure with Jesus.
Pastor Chris