Giving and Thanksgiving

Consider the following conversation (Luke 18:18-30). It is between Jesus and a man who came to ask a question. The man utters only 19 words total. Jesus does the preponderance of talking. The man cannot act in accord with the Master's answer -- it is too difficult for him at that moment. This interaction probably takes only a few minutes at the most, but it determines the fate of the inquirer. It is a turn-point--a spiritual testing moment. This can happen so quickly to any one of us in parallel situations. It has everything to do with giving, and with thankfully, gratefully giving, rather than withholding, saving, keeping, or hoarding.

And a certain ruler asked [Jesus], 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.

Where is our security? Is it in "riches?" Is it in Spirit. If we go straight to Spirit, does it not turn around and provide more richly than we could ever imagine? Look at the "loaves and fishes" (Matthew 14). Look at the net so full of fish (John 21:11). 

The account continues: And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

... Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Jesus reassures us, and demonstrates for all mankind, the true riches without limit that exist in the reality of being -- here and now -- that we each include. Give away everything to follow Christ? The man could not. Give something? Surely we can. Jesus taught that whatever we do to "the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40). Give this thanksgiving.

Thankfully give.