LOSING IT

“[You] joyfully assented to the confiscation of your goods, knowing that you had better and more permanent possessions.” –Hebrews 10:34

Imagine that somebody not only steals your stuff, but confiscates it, that is, he legally “steals” your possessions by a power squeeze and then openly and blatantly keeps it for himself. In our modern society, people would expect you to go to court and sue the confiscator to get back your possessions. If that was not possible, society would expect you to try to exact revenge by whatever means possible. Instead, you publicly rejoice and praise God, saying: “Thank You, Jesus! I didn’t need all that stuff anyway. It was holding me back from a deeper relationship with You. Praise You, Lord! Alleluia!” It’s not hard to imagine the incredulous reactions from those who can’t understand what it means that Jesus is your King Who promises to supply all that you need (Mt 6:24-34; Phil 4:19).

Our possessions can end up possessing us (see Mt 19:21-22). Therefore Jesus bluntly tells us: “None of you can be My disciple if he does not renounce all his possessions” (Lk 14:33). St. Paul obeyed this teaching and proclaimed: “Those things I used to consider gain I have now reappraised as loss in the light of Christ. I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. For His sake I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my Wealth” (Phil 3:7-8).

Each day, lose your life for Jesus’ sake (Lk 9:24). Detach yourself from your possessions and the things of the world. Less of the world equals more of Jesus.

PRAYER: Jesus, the only possession I want is You (1 Jn 5:12; 2 Jn 9).

PROMISE: “Take delight in the Lord, and He will grant you your heart’s requests.” –Ps 37:4

PRAISE: Nine years after his vasectomy, Ralph repented, joined a small Christian community, and had his vasectomy reversed.