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September 17^th

Give 

Matthew 10:39 (ESV)  

³⁹Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  

Matthew 16:25 (ESV)  

²⁵For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  

Mark 8:35 (NLT)  

³⁵If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.  

Luke 9:24 (ESV)  

²⁴For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.  

Luke 17:33 (ESV)  

³³Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.  

John 12:25 (NLT)  

²⁵Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.  

Of course, there is some overlap in these verses. Gospel writers recorded many of the same events and words of Jesus. But I include them all because God saw fit to have these words of Jesus recorded/repeated in each of the four gospels. And that means he does not want us to miss the lesson. And there are many.  

First, some observations: 

1. These are all really “if” – “then” statements. If you “hang on” then you “lose.” 

2. The choice is profoundly serious – it is the choice between life and death. 

3. The choice goes against our natural instinct of self-preservation. 

4. The choice goes against our cultural current of “getting ahead” and “having more.” 

It is important for us to see that the Journey of Generosity is not ultimately about finances or stuff. It is about life. The invitation to “give” begins with giving our life – that is, recognizing that our life is not our own, it is a “gift” given by God. 

Which brings us to this first lesson: God’s invitation to “give” starts with giving our life, never with giving our money or anything else. If we hold on to our life (live for my agenda), we lose it. 

Decades ago, missionary Jim Elliot put the dilemma before us in the clearest of terms when he wrote in his journal, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” 

It begs the question of each one of us: “Am I living to keep what I can’t, only to lose what could be mine forever?” 

Let’s all carry this question with us throughout this day, paying attention to what the Spirit may say or show us.