Scripture Reference: Luke 18:18-23
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? None is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
The above title is not a typo. I know the popular expression is WWJD (what would Jesus do), but perhaps that is not as appropriate a question as it at first may appear.
Yesterday I made a trip to the mall with my wife. Given the state of our finances, we went simply to browse and stroll the corridors to see what we would buy if we had the money. We started together; but after a brief stop at Starbucks, we immediately agreed it would be better if we split up and shopped separately. This agreement comes because after years of being together we know it's fruitless for us to shop together because we view the experience from very different perspectives.
I view all my expenditures as an investment in productivity. In other words, I ask myself before every purchase, "How will this purchase make me more productive"? And because I have this mindset I am drawn to stores that offer tools that make life easier – computer stores, gadget boutiques, kitchen utensils, etc. My wife on the other hand likes clothes and shoes. Imagine that!
In reality, both of us are making important investments with the limited resources we have. And both of us could argue that the other's priorities are faulty. But in truth, neither of us has a logical advantage until we determine both what it is we are attempting to accomplish and who is shaping the rules of engagement.
As we review the story of the rich ruler from the book of Luke, we first note that this man has a desire to make heaven his home. He was not hostile to holy living. In matter of fact, his testimony is that he had observed all the laws of God from his youth. I imagine if you were to ask him and everyone that knew him they would say he lived a life doing what Jesus would do. He observed all the laws he knew to observe and obeyed them. Isn't that's what Jesus did? The fact that he wasn't healing the sick and raising the dead doesn't mean he wasn't doing his best to emulate Christ. Each of us can only do what we can with what we've been given. Our challenge is to be the best we can be.
This rich ruler was challenged beyond what the law and scriptures required. He was challenged beyond what was required of the disciples because even though they left all to follow Jesus, they didn't have as much to lose. His challenge was personal and private. So while he could argue he did what he believed Jesus would do, he failed to do what Jesus wanted him to do.
Dear child of God, I feel this lesson has so many implications for our present situation. As children of the King, we have been given the tremendous gift of access. While we have the word of God as our heavenly guide, we also have opportunity and responsibility for personal audiences with our Savior. The world may be confused at this time and it may ease their minds by inquiring, 'What Jesus would do in a given situation'.
But for those of us that know him, we are compelled to go one step higher and ask, "Lord what would you have me do!"
Remember those purchases my wife and I we dreaming of making? Well, as we make Jesus our financial counselor and shopping consultant, we will increasingly be led by his ever present voice and clear anointing. As we invest in a relationship with him, his Spirit invests in guiding our hands, our hearts and minds. And our finances. Won't you join me today and honestly ask, "WWJHMD" (What would Jesus have me do?)
God Bless