A rich man

Ya know, I hesitate to write this, because I hate coming off as a religious fanatic.  I over analyze everything, therefore, I fear being so candid because I have temptations, I curse, I don't have a good family/home situation but I do believe in God a great deal and I think alot about his written word and my life in light of his plan.  So I hesitate to write too much about my religious thoughts because 1) I don't want you to think I'm trying to make myself sound all "Christiany" or 2) I don't want you to think I'm a hippocrit.  I am simply a flawed human in need of God's grace and I try to serve him but fall short daily and need his grace.  That said....I have been thinking about the rich man of Mark 10:21-25

21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard[b] to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

This is a tough fact for me to swallow.  First I try telling myself I am not rich, but that's a complete lie.  America is a very blessed country and I am a very blessed individual in America.  Like the man in the story I am not yet willing to sell everything I have and follow.  I try to follow and take my crap along with me. My only consolation is that Jesus doesn't say it's impossible for a rich man to get to heaven, he just says it's difficult.  I hope to become more and more giving.  I know I am where I am in life for a reason, I know I have been granted my education for a reason and very few people are qualified for my job in the area I work in.  So I don't think that I am called to be a missionary in a third world country, but I do think God expects me to use my resources where I am to make a difference.  

Today  a gentleman came in my store he was very ill kept and clearly had some problems.  One of which was not having enough money to buy what he needed.  Upon my recent intropsection about my wealth and accountability to God I allowed the man to charge even though I knew he couldn't afford it.  I vowed in my heart that I will pay his bill when we send bills out next month because I am blessed on many accounts and I need to share in my wealth.  When I was leaving I saw the man walking off so I tracked him down and gave him a small wad of cash.  It wasn't much, but it's what I had in my wallet to spare.  I am trying to make it a point to serve this man because it is what Jesus would have done and I am trying to be more like him day by day.  

Keep your eyes open for opportunities to spread the love and word of Christ.  We as a nation are wealthy and I think God expects to see us put an effort in to be christian towards all people.