²¹ Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
 ²² When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.-Matthew 19:21-22


Sunday evening I got to play Eunice, Mary's skeptical neighbor at Vacation Bible school.  Mary would tell the group about her special son, Jesus and then Eunice would come over and tell the kids that Mary was exaggerating and Jesus was no more special than anyone else, etc.  Wow!  All evening kids would seek me out and try to convince me that Jesus was the son of God!


One little guy offered me $100 to change my mind!  Later, his mother told me that he had indeed just collected $100 from relatives for his birthday so he actually had the money to back up his offer.  Aren't kids amazing?  They really do get it, don't they?  Leo would give all the money he had in order to gain one person for Christ.  What would you give?


Of course I'm not saying that we should pay people to believe in Jesus... I can see a few problems with that approach!  But there are many ways that we can give of our time, talent and treasure that would draw more people to Jesus if we would only do it.  Sadly, many Christians are as self-serving as the rest of the world.  Is it any wonder that we don't stand apart to unbelievers?  


Jesus expects a little more from his followers.  And I think most of us have it in our hearts to give more, we just have a hard time following through with the actions to back it up.  It takes practice.  And once we start practicing, we find out how much joy it brings us to reach out... to give more than we thought we could give... to really sacrifice for the sake of others.


Do you have a doubting neighbor?  How can you give to them in order to draw them to Christ?


Lord Jesus,
Forgive us for our self-centered ways.  Help us to reach outside of ourselves to bring others to you.  Amen.


Joys:  Watching Cecelia and Raleigh dance together at VBS; the excellent job the VBS team did putting together this year's program (a real sacrifice for the kingdom!);