Selling Out

Continuing in Matthew 13, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great value. In both cases the man sells out completely. He cashes out his savings, empties the bank account, the 401K, liquidates his stocks, his baseball card collection, sells the fishing boat on eBay and has a garage sale to scrape together the cash he needs for a single purchase.

How irrational can someone be? Every prudent financial planner would say the man should diversify, spread his money around, don't put all his eggs in one basket.

But those people have never seen THIS pearl. They do not know the value of THIS field. To this man they are worth everything. He doesn't think about what he will miss or future security. He has found what he has sought after his whole life. Somehow he knows the value of the treasure in the field or the pearl will be enough to sustain him.

This is another radical call of Christ. Abandon conventional wisdom and what is prudent. Sell out for His kingdom. Far greater than a field or a pearl Jesus promises us that if we seek His kingdom all the stuff we valued and depended upon before, would be provided, daily.

We lay down our life and pick-up a cross. We follow Him. We seek the welfare of others. We give rather than receive. We lead by serving. The economy of this kingdom operates on far different principles than the kingdoms of this world. I want to live in this kingdom, how about you?

Leadership vs. Discipleship

I have been pondering the difference between leadership and discipleship. Leadership has become the in vogue thing for Christians. "Everyone is a leader", "all have a call to lead", these mantras are quoted over and over in Christian books and seminars.
Whatever happened to discipleship. I think it is unpopular because it is based on humility rather than being in-charge. It doesn't have that carrot dangling in front of someone who is looking for power. Disciples don't get to bark order, they are looking to follow.
These principles seem to get lost in leadership training. Of course we mention in passing the need to serve but it seems more of an afterthought than a primary qualification to lead.
When Jesus called His first disciples it began of journey of laying down their lives, their aspirations, their need to lead. As John and Jame's mother lobbied for them a cabinet position in Jesus new administration and Peter assumed the role of number two, Jesus was on His knees washing their feet, carrying their dirt, below them, serving.
I am grateful God has chosen me to lead, Life Church and my family. I am only successful in leading as long as I remember I am first a disciple and here to serve God first, them second, and me last.
I want to be a disciple and make disciples, I'll let God pick the leaders.