Submit

Bible Reading:  Luke 18:18-24

Key Verse: Verse 23 - “And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.”

Key Words: he was very sorrowful

I do realize that Luke 18:18-24 is dealing with the subject of salvation and that the rich ruler was not willing to give up his riches to follow God.  But there are even more believers who refuse to give up their “goods” to be a servant of God’s.  The keys to being a servant are:

1. 1.Admit: we must first admit that we are not being a servant.
2. 2.Commit: commit ourselves to service.
3. 3.Submit: to what God wants us to do and be.  This also includes “our goods, riches, and bounty.”

A missionary was witnessing to a native chief in a primitive culture.  The chief offered gifts of blankets, jewelry, and horses.  The missionary wisely said, “My God does not want the chief’s blankets, jewelry, and horses.  My God wants the chief himself.”  Instinctive wisdom guided the chief’s response, “You have a very wise God, for when I give Him myself, He also gets my blankets, jewelry, and horses.”  God wants the assets He has put in our trust, not in order to take them away from us but to enable us to use them for their highest good.  When they are yielded to Him, they are glorifying to Him and gratifying to us.

I read the following in regard to serving and thought it to be a good illustration of what we should be to God.

Franklin D. Roosevelt had a constant companion named Harry Hopkins.  Someone asked the President, “Why do you keep that frail sickly Harry Hopkins at your elbow?”  Instantly, the chief executive gestured toward the door and replied, “Hundreds come through that door daily who want something from me.  Harry Hopkins wants only to serve me.  That is why he is no near to me.”

 

What to do: 

✞Remember, one’s nearness to God is in direct proportion to one’s service for God.