Giving Up To Gain!

In the pursuit of gain, many have lost much of real value. Investments made are not always a sure thing. Many have gambled with the hope of gaining much only to lose it all. Even some holding dearly to what was seen of great value have found themselves to be on the losing end. Have we seen others in such a struggle or experienced it ourselves?

Henry Ward Beecher is noted as stating: "It is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich."

Jesus put it this way:
"(34) And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF and take up his cross and follow me. (35) For whoever would save his life will lose it, but WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE AND THE GOSPEL'S WILL SAVE IT. (36) For WHAT DOES IT PROFIT a man TO GAIN the WHOLE WORLD AND FORFEIT his SOUL?'" ( Mark 8:34-36 ESV) [also Matthew 16:24-26 and Luke 9:23-25]

Trying to save ourselves will put us on the losing end. It is through the denial of self and SURRENDER TO CHRIST that we find salvation by what He accomplished on the cross. Through the giving up of our own desires, goals, and aspirations for this realm while we instead embrace the desires and Will of God, we stand to gain the greatest blessings and ETERNAL RICHES we could ever be offered. This comes through a life investment that is no gamble because God has a rich inheritance reserved for us in Heaven. ( 1 Peter 1:4) That is where it is free from the threat of theft and decay ( Matthew 6:20) as well as mismanagement. It is a sure thing. However, even in this realm we can presently enjoy the riches of godly love, inexpressible joy ( 1 Peter 1:8), peace that surpasses understanding ( Philippians 4:7), and the riches of God's grace ( Ephesians 1:7) through our continued relationship with Him. Having much, we can also be rich in generosity ( 2 Corinthians 8:2; 9:11) and so be a blessing to others in giving to meet their needs. In this view of what God desires for us, may we recognize giving up will provide the opportunity to gain so much more than we ever let go of to begin with.

Have a great day KNOWING THE CERTAINTY OF THE RICHES IN CHRIST!
Carl

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