Can we really learn to lose this life?

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."  Luke 9:23-26

Can we really learn to lose this life, and what does it take for us to finally move beyond ourselves? I want to lose this life so badly, but I so often get in the way of this desire implanted by the Holy Spirit (my flesh could never generate a desire this noble). How come I worry about money and bills when I'm supposed to be walking by faith? (2 Cor. 5:7)

It's funny, I worry about money, but God has always provided. Throughout our marriage, Melinda and I have never gone without anything we've desired. We eat out when we want to (although, we try to keep it to a minimum), we purchased a reliable vehicle, we go to Christian concerts, and we've taken a couple of very nice vacations. We've been able to do this while aggressively attacking debt (the aforementioned car will be paid off in a couple months...but going to seminary will replace that with new debt [bummer]) and giving away more than we ever have. This discussion is by no means meant to pat ourselves on the back. Lord knows how Melinda and I fall short in so many ways! It's just eye-opening to see how you can live on a budget, give to others in the name of Jesus, and still live pretty comfortably. Now, I may be taking these words back when we have kids, and Melinda leaves full-time work to be a mommy and a homemaker...AND we purchase a house :)

Yet and still, the vast majority of our budget is still spent on US. I think Jesus loves crazy thoughts. Today, I thought, "Wouldn't that be awesome if we someday could give away 90% of our income?"

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."  Mark 12:41-44

Now, wouldn't that be an intimidating church service? Jesus sitting there, watching the offerings come in. Sometimes, I ask myself, "When am I going to take verses like this seriously?" Is it possible to really sell my possessions and give to the poor? Could we really up our offering to 50% or more?

Let me be plain: there's nothing wrong with wanting to provide for your family. I want a house for mine, after all. Moreover, times are hard and money is tight. Still, the average Christian gives away 2-3% of his or her income.

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.  Malachi 3:8-10

God doesn't want us to give just so He can take "our" money (in actuality, it's all His in the first place...we just have it on loan; James 1:17). God wants us to value Him more than anything. He wants to be our treasure and our joy, and He wants us to trust Him as our Father.

When are we going to learn to trust? When are we going to step out in faith to a place in which we will perish without the Father's intercession. That's where God wants us. It's not all about money, either. It also is about giving away time, resources, and efforts. And when we do this, we bridge the gifts to Jesus Christ, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

The only thing that matters after this life is how we used what was given to us to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to lose this life. I hope you do, too. Let's pray that God changes us.  -JB

PS: Feel free to watch the attached video have a private jam session with your monitor...I won't tell anyone...promise ;)