Day 18/260: Read Luke 18

The rich ruler checked all the right boxes. You couldn’t accuse him of breaking the law—of committing sinful acts. Adultery? Never. Murder? Of course not. Stealing? No. False witness? Wouldn’t dream of it.

Blamelessly he avoided the bad things, but the ruler wasn’t willing to do the good. “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Give up his stuff? How could Jesus ask him to give up everything he has worked so hard to amass? He earned it! It was his! Those poor people did nothing for it; why should he give them a handout?

Do you see the problem with that attitude? Do you ever exhibit that attitude yourself? Just a few chapters earlier, Jesus taught about doing good for others without the expectation of repayment. Instead of inviting friends, we should “invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.” The result? “And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:12-14).

Don’t hoard your stuff; rather, share with those in need, regardless of their ability to repay.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Luke 19:10, “For the _____________ of Man has come to seek and to save that which was _____________.”

Pray

Pray for a proper perspective when it comes to physical or material blessings, recognizing it all belongs to God and we are just His stewards.