What If It Wasn't About Me?

I was sitting in class this morning and Travis directed us to Matt 19:16-30. As we were reading through it (stop right here, get your Bible, and go read), it started me thinking about our next set of classes, “It’s Not About Me” by Max Lucado. In our meeting the other day, we came up with some great examples that God left for us in the Bible. The examples included Joseph, David & Goliath, Hosea, the Transfiguration, Esther, and Paul in prison (he brought the Message to the jailer instead of escaping), Rizpah, and Jephthah’s daughter.

This particular passage in Matthew is more an example of “It’s All About Me”. This rich, young man wanted to “do” or “work” or “buy” his way into eternal life, but he couldn’t quite make the leap to get rid of his money. It doesn’t have to be money that gets in the way of our relationship with Christ, but it’s a common hurdle. However, in reading this, I was more intrigued in Peter’s response in 19:27. Essentially, he said, “Okay, Jesus, You told this guy to obey all the commands, and if he really wants to do the right thing, he should go sell his possessions and give to the poor then come follow You. I did that! I walked away from my life as a fisherman to come follow You! I left everything and so did these other guys here with us! What do we get?”

I’m sure Peter liked the answer he received, but he was still concerned about what was in it for him. What do you think our answer is to that same question? “Jesus, I’ve expressed my faith in You and I’ve been baptized. I’ve done this, that, and the other thing for You, so what do I get?” I get eternal life with God and Him (Of course that last bit about doing doesn’t get us into heaven, but it’s relevant to the question). Heaven is a fantastic, wonderful gift (not a reward, but a gift). Here are my questions: What if we were in it for Christ? What if we were in it for God? What if we were in it for the Holy Spirit? What if we were in it for Them out of love for Them and not for the gift of heaven? I’m certainly not turning that gift down and am fall-down-on-my-knees thankful for it, but what if that wasn’t our goal? What if our goal was simply to please the Master so He would say “Well done good and faithful servant.”?