Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions,
and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven;
then come, follow me.”  (Matt 19:21)

Release.  What are you holding too tightly that you might be missing what God has in store?  I think we all have those things that we hold tightfisted…not just our money or possessions but also shame, anxiety, guilt, greed, or anything that keeps us from freedom and wholeness.  What would it mean for you to release those things?

I often think life would be easier if I had everything I needed, never in need for anything!  Then, I flip my thoughts and think life would be easier if I had absolutely nothing, nothing to worry about!  Then I find myself somewhere in between…grateful for what I have and also for what I don’t have.  The truth is life is not meant to be easy!  Life is full of tough decisions, heartache, elation, and easy choices.  I think life is about perspective…who we look at all that we have or don’t have.  I know several people who have anything and everything they could ever want, and they are miserable – never content.  I also know people who scrape and save every penny, barely getting by, having very little and are extremely content.  I think most of us are somewhere in the middle, I know I am!  My perspective on life is one of trying to be content with what I have or what I don’t have.  And in my contentment knowing that I am only a steward, temporarily caring for what God has given me. 

A rich young man, an upright law abiding citizen, came to Jesus and asked him, “what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”  He was hoping for a task he could accomplish that would guarantee him a spot in heaven.  But, Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  He was crushed.  He went away sad, for he had many possessions.

We all have things that we hold tight.  Things that we let get in the way of relationship with God, our faith and trust that God has our best in mind.  What would happen if we took our clenched fist and offered it palm up to God?  How would that change your perspective?  How would that change your relationship with God?  How would that help you live into the money story that God is writing for you?

Practice (verb): “To perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient.”
Release (verb): “To relieve from something that confines, burdens, or oppresses.”

Releasing is a spiritual practice that frees us from ourselves and liberates others.  This stewardship season, I invite you to remember, release, reimagine, and restore your money story so that together we can write the one God is begging us to live into.

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

“If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matt 19:21, MSG)