When satan tempted Christ, he showed Him the kingdoms of this world and said, “This is what you will get if you just worship me.” By contrast, when the rich young ruler came to Christ, Jesus said nothing of what he would get, but rather said, “This is what you must give in order to follow Me.” Jesus knew there was a YES in this young man’s heart, and that dying to self, materialism, greed and false security was necessary in order to prepare him to steward true riches.
It always goes back to the Trading Floor. And we must always lose our life to find it. Or, by trying to preserve our self life, we end up losing it. It is a spiritual law. It is the way of the kingdom. It is why the way to destruction is broad, while the way to life is narrow. Jesus said that many are called but few are chosen. Why? Because they stumble and become offended during the process, and ultimately end up saying NO to paying the price.
Do we earn what has been freely given to us in Christ? No! But the process of maturity is costly… costly, but necessary if we are to steward anything of true value. For if we squander what has been entrusted to us, we have to be judged. So, it is better that we stumble on the front end.
The church is more conformed to this world system than to the true ways of God. We do not understand the necessity of hardship, so we often try to rescue people from the process, not realizing that we are handicapping them. Our society is defined by comfort and false security, so people do not know how to respond when false comfort and false security are missing from their walk with Christ.
Babies are selfish by Divine design, and that is right and good and appropriate. But adults must be selfless if they are to produce fruit and nurture others. Right now, the body of Christ at large seems to be in a sort of teenage phase, where we are eager for adult privileges but become upset when those privileges come in the same package with the responsibilities. Growing up is hard, but it is so very necessary for where we are going and for the authority, responsibility and exploits the Father has planned for us.
The way is narrow, and the Fear of the Lord is our tutor on this part of the journey. We must yield to His mentorship in order to apprehend the Promises. So… which spirit are you of? One that says “Here is what you can get.” Or one that says, “Here is what you can give.” It truly is more blessed to give than to receive!
Until next time,
Virginia