Gaining by Giving

Readings: Isaiah 32:14-20, I Peter 4:7-11, John 15:26-16:4

We're a clingy bunch--we tend to latch on to ideas, possessions, theories, etc., and we hang on for the long haul. And, at the top of the heap, we cling to life. Hearing the Biblical verse "If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it" (Luke 17:33NLT) is almost enough to make us shiver. We don't like to lose a pair of scissors or a favorite sweater...lose our life? Really? What does this mean?

Jesus' words aren't telling us to go out on a suicide mission as other religions teach, although he does remind the apostles in John that "They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God" (16:2). We see this currently with our involvement in battles with people of other religions half a world away. We need to keep our faith, we need to live each day in our walk with Jesus. If, by some chance, we physically lose our lives, we will, through Christ, gain eternal life.

But we can "lose our lives" everyday of our existence in this life as well if we walk in Christ's steps and live to where people see Jesus instead of us in whatever we do. I Peter 4:7-11 says it beautifully: "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it with the strength God provides so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

Losing our life means to let go...let go of the clinginess. If we are putting our earning power, our popularity, our material needs ahead of offering a helping hand to those in need, we're not "losing our life". You can still go to work, earn a healthy living, participate in events with family and friends; however, putting all these things ahead of serving God is not losing our lives to save it. We are invited to use our time, our possessions, and our talents to serve others following Christs' example--losing our lives of clinginess and gaining a life of peace as we read in Isaiah: "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in  peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest" (32:17-18).    

Let go and gain by giving...peace be with you.