Most of us like to get a ‘good deal’ when we buy things. Stores know this and have sales, offer rebates, and generally try to make is sound like you are saving money in some way, whether you are or not. None of us want to find out we were price gouged and paid too much, but then again, running around from store to store to save 25 cents may not be worth the effort either. The best way to save money, is to not spend it, especially on things you don’t need! In economics there is a principle called opportunity cost, meaning when you spend money on one thing, you give up buying or doing another thing. It really works well in regard to time, as when you spend your limited amount of time doing one thing, you give up doing another. So, spend your time wisely! What would you give in exchange for your soul? How about when it comes to your spiritual life, are you getting a good deal there?
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24
Have you counted the cost of true discipleship? We can live the normal life and go to church in the US without even blinking an eye. In fact, many do just that – live their lives like the rest of the world, occasionally go to church and a meeting or two per month and call it good, without being challenged. Do you want to get by, or to fully live the life you have? Not in a worldly sense, though some may argue that, but to deny the world and be fully alive in Christ. In some parts of this world, to choose to follow Christ is to put your life at risk. The chance of being socially shunned, disowned by your family, threatened or killed is a real thing in some cultures. We may have difficulty fathoming that here, but after reading stories and meeting people who have gone through this, you know it is real. In our easy to get by society, with all the freedoms here, what does that mean for me? What is the cost of my discipleship?
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Luke 9:23-25
What is the true cost of following Jesus? The deal he offers us is really a 2 for 1 deal, or better. You give up your life for him and you get 2 lives in return. If you have been born again, you know that a life with Christ is truly living. You are no longer a slave to sin and what people think of you, but now alive with the Spirit of God within you. The other life you get is after this one is done, in the Kingdom to come. We could all speculate what all will go on there, but lets sum it up to say it will be much more glorious than this current one. Should we just ‘get by’ in this life and put all our hope in the life to come? No. There is much life, work, and opportunity for us here, regardless of whether you are in your 20’s or 80’s. Each day has countless opportunities to share God’s love and Good News with others as we live our lives for him. May you find joy in doing just that!
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
Yours in Christ,
Clark
