Sticky Stories

The rich young leader was challenged to abandon that which was dear—his control, his riches.  Jesus judged his status as incomplete ...

Aesop wrote fables, concrete stories to communicate abstract concepts, that have survived millennia. One such story is the Tortoise and the Hare. The rabbit, who boasted in his reputation, was challenged to a race by the turtle. In the ensuing contest, the tortoise plodded on faithfully, while the hare slept along the way, resting on his reputation.

In Matthew 19 we read the story of a rich young man who came to Jesus to ask what he should do to have eternal life. The young man knew the scriptures and the things of God. He lived an exemplary life on a righteous course. Jesus’ challenge for him was that one more thing was needed for him to be complete. It was a call to abandon that which was dear—his control, his riches. Jesus judged his status as being incomplete without a focus on serving others, and in so doing, serving God.

The disciples were surprised and perplexed by Jesus’ remark that it is very hard for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Here was a person who was very blessed. From a human point of view, the man was regarded as being obviously favored by God. But Jesus warns that without a focus on serving others, such a person will not be favored by God in the life to come. He or she will be last.

It is those that assign a low value to earthly things, even leaving houses, family, friends, and fields for the sake of the kingdom, who will be first.  By this standard, the question each blessed Christ-follower must weigh is, “Where will I be seated in the heavenlies? Near the first or closer to the last?”

Since eternity is a long time, here is an idea: Register at Journey and submit a Personal Profile and review the results to see how you might find a surprisingly good range of assignments, to make a kingdom difference, serving others and thereby serving God.  Strive to finish well.

Picture of Nelson Malwitz, Founder, Chief Innovation Officer

Nelson Malwitz, Founder, Chief Innovation Officer

Nelson is the generic Evangelical baby-boomer. Born in 1946, raised in the C&MA, he attended Urbana ’67 in college. He holds an MS degree in Chemical Engineering and worked in R&D positions in American industry for 33 years. Nelson is an inventor with formal training in methods of creative problem-solving. He was a founding elder at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, CT (1982) and served in many leadership capacities of what is now one of the largest Evangelical churches in New England. In 1998 Nelson founded the Finishers Project, now MissionNext. Locally he attends a Torah study and serves as chairman of the Sewer Commission in his community to be a witness among unchurched leaders.

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2 thoughts on “Sticky Stories”

  1. You have put it well in expressing Christian apathy. I believe the church would wake up if they understood their potential. God has put into our hands the resources to reach the world. Half the funds flowing through American churches is wasted on unneeded facilities. I teach churches the stewardship of building so they can open their hands and underwrite missions.

    Reply
    • Your point is well taken. The ability to carry the gospel to the known world and the ability to disciple the nations to do the same, is in our immediate control. This was the task that the Apostle Paul took on. However, in our times, we often spend our resources of time, travel, talent, treasure on ourselves. There are wonderful exceptions.

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