Leaving my nets. . . .

Some verses in the Bible are easy to read over without much thought. I’d have done that today with the verse Spurgeon highlights. I’d have even skipped his thoughts on it, for they didn’t make much sense to me and didn’t seem related directly to the verse. However, I read something else before reading this, and in that context, this verse speaks loudly . . . 

And immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:18)

Imagine what this meant to men who made their living with their fishing nets. Jesus walked along the shoreline where they worked. Obviously they knew something about Him, but not a great deal. He called and invited them to become fishers of men.

Perhaps His charisma intrigued them. Perhaps they were tired of their fishing routine. Perhaps they wanted adventure. Yet there is something about the word of Jesus. When He says something, the deepest part of the human heart becomes engaged. When He says “Follow Me” who can resist?

Before reading this verse, I was challenged by a Bible study book called Walk of Repentance that asked me to read Acts 4:32–5:16 and think about how the selfless generosity of the early Christians contributed to an atmosphere of mutual support in the Church. The very first verse is familiar, yet this time, Jesus spoke directly to my heart.

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. (Acts 4:32)

I began thinking how these early Christians were united in their faith. They believed the same things and realized that all they had came from God. They fully understood that He sovereignly blessed them. Not only that, since they belonged to Him, then all they possessed also belonged to Him. They were merely stewards and not owners, without the attitude of “mine” — so all shared freely as they helped one another. Their mutual sharing from the heart is an ideal that even socialism has never been able to create. It was so ingrained that no one even considered personal ownership. All belonged to all.

I have heard these ideas before, but this time Jesus is saying, “Follow Me” directly concerning my possessions. He asks me to change the way I think about them. I know that it is because of God that I have anything. He wants me to think that If His people need any of it, I have no claim; it belongs to all of us.

Because of this attitude, not one person was needy in the early church. Some were even willing to sell their assets so they could take care of others. It never seemed wise to me to sell assets to pay bills, never mind give the money away, but if I really trust God as my supply and if I really think that temporary things will not last, why hold tight to anything? If I need it, will not God supply it? And the adage is true — I cannot take it with me.

Not only did they sell what they had, they gave the proceeds to their leaders, trusting them to distribute it as needed. They didn't have any intention of controlling where their giving went, but trusted God to give their leaders wisdom in the distribution. It is one thing to trust, another to be trusted. What would it do to my life if someone entrusted all their wealth to me, to give it to the people who needed it the most?

The reading also tells of two people who missed out on this because they gave with the idea of impressing others. While they had the right to keep some of the proceeds from a sale for themselves (none of the giving was forced or coerced), they lied about it so they would look good in the eyes of the church.

It didn't work. They were caught in their deception, rebuked for it, and died because of it. The sin was not in holding back funds, but in lying about it. Openness about motives and actions produces unity. It is also the only route to forgiveness and cleansing from God.

I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea of holding assets that belong to God AND to His people. My possessions are not owned by me but under my stewardship. I trust God with them. Could I trust the leaders of my church with them? Do I really believe that if I give something away and then need it, the Lord can replace it?

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Jesus, You have provided all that I need and then some. Now You give me a challenge concerning where I place my sense of security. This will be in my thoughts today. Help me be like the disciples who simply left their nets and followed You.