Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 10:21 (New International Version)

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” He said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

Jesus is talking to the person known as “the rich young ruler.” This rich person went away sad after Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give to the poor.

It is easy to sit here 2,000 years later, shake our heads, and mumble quietly about this rich man who just loved his things too much. None of us are like this awful rich man.

Ha!

How many people do you know who would walk out the door right now and sell all they have? Would you walk out the door right now and sell all that you have?

But hey, I’m not “rich.” I am fill-in-the-blank in the economic scene. And besides, God hasn’t asked me to sell all I have and give to the poor. I contribute regularly and pay taxes and most of that tax money goes to the poor and if I keep talking I can think of some other way that this sell-all-you-have stuff doesn’t apply to me anyways.

God, you have made me rich beyond measure. Help me to always remember that. Help me to live as an expression of thanks and to do what I can in my life to bless others.