Your Open Word e-Devotional for July 15th

Published: Sat, 07/15/17

Hello ,


"When Jesus heard this, he said to him, You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."  Luke 18:22

Jesus didn't check people's bank accounts, their social status, or their material possessions before He reached out to them in love.  He even reached out to a young man who wanted what Jesus had to give, but who just couldn't reach past his desire to hold onto something that he would eventually lose anyway.

When we choose to put possessions in front of people, we have made a mistake that only eternity can estimate.  It wasn't merely about helping the poor that Jesus was concerned with; it was seeing the lack of real empathy love towards another human being's plight that caused Jesus to say these words to this rich young ruler.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God..."  Micah 6:8


I don't have to sell my house and all of my possessions in order to give it all away, but I do need to care about other people at a heart level. It's not in me to naturally do this, but God can change my heart and take me to a place where it's the inevitable result of a solid connection with Him.

Have a great day and God bless!



Pastor Mike / The Open Word