The theme for our reflection is “Is giving all worth it?” “Is giving all worth IT?” Is the dilemma of going for what is more important and priceless in life, especially when it has to do with losing one thing in exchange for that which is considered more valuable and priceless. What then is the most valuable thing worth giving all for? Jesus gives us the answer through a parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44-46) Jesus, tells us that the most priceless and valuable thing worth giving all for is our salvation or the Kingdom of God.
Dear friend, Jesus is inviting us to consider all the wealth and riches of this earth worthless because of their ephemeral or temporary nature. He invites us to rather give all we have including our wealth and riches for that which leads to eternal life. It is for this reason, Paul wrote to Timothy to “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Dear friend, let us live a heaven-conscious life by giving all according to the will of God, for Paul again admonishes us that “godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (1 Timothy 6:6-7). Again Ecclesiastes reminds us that “Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands” (Ecclesiastes 5:15) Again, King Solomon makes us understand that “I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11) Beloved in the Lord, if it true that we came with nothing and shall depart with nothing, and that nothing is gained under the sun, then, why don’t we give all we have acquired between birth and death in gaining that which is eternal and will never be taken away from us. Jesus admonishes us that “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:35-38).
Beloved in the Lord, it is good to make money and amass wealth but wealth and riches should never take the place of God in our lives. Let us not become obsessed with earthly possession and neglect our heavenly possessions. We must live a purpose-driven and heaven-conscious life. Let us not be like the rich young man who was glued to his reaches than his desire to attain eternal life. Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:21-24) Beloved in the Lord, so long as we are alive today, the choice is ours to make, to give all up for the Kingdom of God or hold onto the things of this world. Nonetheless, a time will come when shall find ourselves in the shoes of the rich man in the story of Lazarus and the rich man, if we refuse to give all for God while we were in the world. Abraham told the rich man who was in torment that “Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:25-31). Dear friend, we have the Word of God to guide us in the use of our worldly possessions according to the will of God, we do not need anyone to come from heaven to tell us. Is giving all worth it? the answer is a resounding yes! Let us stop giving excuses when we are called upon to serve God with our wealth and to help the poor and vulnerable These are the ways of giving all according to His will. May the blessings and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us even as we surrender all to God. Shalom.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, grant us the discernment to withhold nothing but surrender all unto Jesus even as we live a heaven-conscious life. Amen.
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