When it comes to the subject of giving, we almost always focus on how others will benefit when we give. And that’s true.
When you give, for example, to the spread of the gospel to unreached people, that leads to indescribable good for people (and entire people groups!) around the world. But what if radical giving is not just indescribably good for them?
What if radical giving is indescribably good for you?
I love this part about Jesus’ conversation with the rich young man in Mark 10. The man asks Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” This man clearly wants that which is good (eternally good!) for his life.
So Jesus answers him, “Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When we first read these words, we hear them as a call to sacrifice. A costly call to let go of something. But look at Jesus’ words closer.
He’s offering him an invitation to gain something—and something amazing, at that! Jesus is inviting this man to follow him, and think about who he is.
He is the infinitely good, all loving, all satisfying Creator of our lives who knows what is best for our lives and promises to provide us with everything we need. And Jesus is not just calling this man to follow him on this earth. He’s calling this man to experience treasure for all of eternity.
When you realize what Jesus is offering this man, you realize this is an irresistible offer! It’s the most basic principle of investing. If you have a stock that will yield a little treasure for a little time, and another stock that will yield a lot of treasure for a lot of time, in which stock do you invest?
God, help us to apply the most simple financial sense to what matters most in our lives!
God has given you and me resources. He has invited us to follow Jesus and to use the resources he has entrusted to us (reminder: He owns them all!). He has called us to make him known all around the world—in ways that will lead to good for countless people around the world, and in ways that will lead to good for us, now and for all of eternity.
It sounds like an infinitely wise investment. Let’s not miss out on it.
This article first appeared in The Commission, Radical’s biweekly newsletter featuring global gospel stories and encouragement from David Platt and others to help you follow Jesus and make him known. Subscribe today.
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