40 Days of Embracing Uncertainty - Day 26 (for Thursday, March 26)

The devotion for Thursday, March 26^th is about the rich man and what Jesus tells him to do with his money in order to live eternally.

Truthfully, there is no topic more difficult to write about or preach upon during times like this than our treasure stores and what we are called to do with our money.  I don’t have to tell anyone that we are in delicate financial times – the stock market looks like a jagged mountain range with its fluctuations dependent upon words and actions from the people in power who are making decisions to try and help us through these difficult times.  The massive economic stimulus package passed by Congress won’t be sent out for a while yet.  Stores and places of business are closing, scaling back or scrambling to find other ways to stay afloat.

On Friday night, the Governor of Minnesota called everyone to do their part by staying at home for two weeks – unless you have a job that is falls under providing essential needs and services.  I’m not sure how many of our church members or members of the community are going to be impacted by this because some can work from home and some can’t.  Finances are going to be a delicate issue, if they aren’t already.

I appreciate what the writer of the devotion shares about this topic – read this excerpt from Thursday, March 26’s installment:

“Jesus’ answer [to the rich man] packs a surprising punch: living the perfect life, whole and complete and free of need, has nothing to do with money.  In fact, Jesus tells the man, money may actually be standing in your way, and what you may have to do is free yourself from it.”

I was talking with someone about what the world would look like one year from now – will we be different?  When the chaos from this pandemic clears and the world returns to what it was before the coronavirus invaded our lives, will we have changed anything about what we hold precious?  I think it’s the same challenge that Jesus is posing to the rich man… can you give up what you have and yet be content?  Are you willing to part from those things which you are placing great value upon, but ultimately matter little to your eternal destiny? 

Those questions echo in my mind, not because my mind is empty either.  It’s because they are key questions that we need to pay attention to.  I’ve heard it so many times throughout my lifetime “The best things in life are free”.  I believe that is true.  C’mon, there is no doubt that we need money to survive – we need funds to purchase things that are important. 

I believe Jesus wants us to keep it in perspective.  If we are not willing to give it all away, then perhaps our money owns us and the best things in life are not free after all.