By: Christine Wood
My husband made a comment recently. “Since we’ve gotten rid of all our time-saving devices, we have so much more time on our hands.” He’s not wrong. We have the least number of possessions we have ever had in our lives, and yet our lives are richer, happier and healthier than they have ever been. We have discovered how to be happy with less.
I’m so glad we are discovering this now in our 50s, but I wish I had discovered it sooner. I think of our big houses full of furniture and décor, cupboards full of stuff, wardrobes full of clothes, extra boxes in the garage for storage. I look back now with some regret. I thought everything was making our lives easier and better. I was wrong, but the cultural message that bigger is better is pervasive, and we bought into it, hook, line and sinker.
In Mark 10 we read of a Rich Young Ruler who came to Jesus to ask, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” As we read the encounter, we learn this young man was a good man. He followed God’s law and was wealthy, a sign in that culture that he was blessed by God. In response to his question, Jesus tells him to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor, and then to come and follow Him.
We read that the man went away sad, unwilling to give up his wealth for Jesus. What follows is a fascinating conversation between Jesus and the disciples about how difficult it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
Does Jesus want you to Sell your Possessions?
Why is it so hard? Simply because we often find our identity in our wealth. Our possessions become an extension of ourselves. The better our outward lives appear, the better we are. But this economy is false.
When we read this story we are often quick to judge this young man. It wasn’t his wealth that was stopping him from following Jesus, it was his attitude; He loved his money more than God. We can be wealthy and still follow Jesus. Jesus doesn’t want us to sell everything to follow Him. Does He?
And that is true. It is not a sin to be wealthy. We can have money and still love God and follow Him. I agree. For most of my life I would have argued this point. I am not like the Rich Young Ruler.
But consider with me the idea that following Jesus could be better if we owned less; that life could be better with less. What if all the time we spend shopping, cleaning, sorting, maintaining and organising could be better spent? What if the money it costs to buy, maintain, store and insure our possessions could be better spent? What if we could be happier with less?
Perhaps Jesus wasn’t trying to make it harder for the Rich Young Ruler to live. Perhaps Jesus knew his life would be better without his worldly riches.
Modern Life Lacks Margins
Modern life is difficult and stressful. I had a conversation with a good friend yesterday who was stressed out because she was so busy she didn’t have time to prepare for her upcoming vacation. She didn’t have one spare day in the next two weeks to plan the food and clothing for her family before they went away. I feel for her, deep in the trenches with four children, a part-time job and ministry commitments. There are no margins, no breathing space.
I’m not telling you to sell everything and live in a caravan. I’m not saying you should stop doing the important things God has called you to do. I am, however, asking you to reconsider.
How much time, money and energy do you spend maintaining your lifestyle?
Do you have margins of time, money and energy to accommodate the unexpected in your life?
Does your life help you follow Jesus more closely, or distract you from Him?
Jesus finishes the conversation with the disciples with this statement: “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)
If it all seems too hard, talk it over with God and ask Him to help you take one step. Perhaps you need to find one thing you no longer use and sell it.
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