RICH YOUNG MAN< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Luke 12: 18-30

In service there is sacrifice and in sacrifice there is service. Jesus pointed out that there is a reward in sacrifice when Peter was calling JesusÕ attention to the fact that him and His disciples have left all to follow Him. In response to PeterÕs statement, ÒSo He said to them, ÒAssuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.Ó(Luke 12:29-30) Will you question and answer yourself to find out if your service is reasonable? Romans 12:1, ÒI beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.Ó Apostle Paul made it clear that service has two folds. One is to present yourself for serving and the second is to make the service a reasonable one. Many have presented themselves, many are presenting themselves, but the services that are presented are not reasonable for them to be rewarded. Jesus in His conversation with the rich young ruler requested for a reasonable sacrifice/service. The rich young ruler claimed to have kept all the commandments from his youth. He had an understanding that he was good but then Jesus responded, ÒSo when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, ÒYou still lack one thing Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.Ó (Luke 18:22)  Jesus was letting him know that he needed to be sold out in his service by selling all that he had. Jesus wants us to be sold out in our service, he wants us to give all that it takes in following Him because it is then that it becomes sold-out to Him. There is so much in your life that is taking you away from Him, so much is taking His time away and He wants us to be sold out to the purpose of the kingdom of GodÕs business. The rich young ruler thought he was doing all that it took in following His commandments and now found out from Jesus that there is more to presenting yourself in following Him. Following Him goes deeper when all riches of this world become an outside baggage not a carry along in following Jesus. The rich young ruler that thought he had been doing all the commandments came to the realization of having to give it all up all for Jesus. It is written in Luke 12:23, ÒBut when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.Ó The rich young man presented himself as living sacrifice, but his reasoning with his riches would not make him available for his service to be reasonably focused on the riches of heaven.