In Luke 18:18-23, a rich official approaches Jesus with the question,â€Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?†Jesus tells him that he must follow the commandments, loving the Lord and his neighbor. The official claims that he has known and kept the commandments since he was young. Jesus responds,â€There is still one thing that you lack. Go and sell all that you have and give the money to the poor.†Luke tells us that the rich man walked away sad. He knew that he could not LET GO of all that he had worked hard to earn - his nice house, his expensive clothes, all of his luxuries and his fine way of living. He had a personal invitation from Jesus to sell everything and to come and be one of Jesus’ most intimate followers. But he couldn’t bring himself to give it all up.
Jesus poses the same question to us: “Will you let go of this world? Will you release all of your desires and your plans for your life, so that I may have permission to REALLY get to work in your heart? Will you give up your treasure in this life so that you might gain the treasure of eternal life?†In America, these questions carry great weight, because we enjoy life at every corner. We eat out as much as possible. We spend huge amounts of money to be clad in the latest fashions. Most of us don’t have to worry about having a roof over our head or whether or not there will be dinner on the table. Many things that we consider need most of the world considers luxury.
To see what I’m talking about, visit www.miniature-earth.com. Watch the video there, and let Jesus’ question sink in. Consider that almost 20% of the global population lives on $1 a day or less the next time you order a “value meal†at McDonald’s - and you think you’re getting a great deal. This is not about global warming, terrorism or any of the trendy issues that people are trying to tackle these days…this is about people. People just like you and me, who are trying to survive day to day. It’s easy to believe that the only people who are in this kind of need are overseas, or in another country. That’s not true. Brothers and sister of ours in AMERICA live this way. They need you to share what you’ve been given. They need your time, your energy, your money. They need your help.
We in the Ben Walther Band believe our mission is to build the Kingdom of God. To this end, when you purchase a copy of “Where I Want To Beâ€, $1 of your purchase will be given to World Vision, a global ministry that feeds and houses people in need. Also, a portion of our tithe from every live performance will be donated to World Vision, or a similar organization. God bless you, and consider this: what can YOU do to give of yourself?
