Have you ever looked at this story and seriously considered what it might mean for our lives?

I mean, what if part of following Jesus really means selling our possessions? Would you still be willing to follow him?

To be honest, I haven’t always been too sure. I have been frustrated that for me following Jesus has not had too significant of a cost.

For a lot of my life following Jesus has meant a community of friends, purpose, and a job. Not too shabby if you ask me.

But something is wrong. That is not the whole picture of the Christian walk. Comfortable was never a word Jesus would have used to describe being a disciple.

He also used words like, “sell,” and “give.”

He said, “Love your enemies.”

He said, “blessed are the persecuted,” and “blessed are the meek.”

Is that really what my life looks like?

Sure, I can point to good things I’m doing, but am I giving it ALL up for him?

My way of caring for the needy is giving out of my excess. I don’t seem to see their needs as urgent and have had little willingness to make significant effort to find ways to care for the needy.

So, after a lot of prayer, I decided to do something. I realized that I would much prefer to mistakenly sell something, than to never be willing to make a sacrifice in order to advance the Kingdom of God.

This might sound crazy, but I bought a scooter (think: moped) and am in the process of selling my car (already have the buyer lined up).

I have been slow to be upfront about the why in conversations. I’ve tried to convince people that the data proves I’ve made a good choice.

That’s not true. The data says I’m more likely to get killed on the road. I think the phrase “data drives decision” has done more harm in my personal life than it has ever done good.

I know what the Bible says, but I often hide under the disguise of “responsibility” to not take significant steps in order to glorify his name.

I was reading a book by Howard John Yoder (a Christian Ethicist) and he helped me realize that as believers we are to make decisions not because we are sure they will work, but because we are confident that Jesus Christ is Lord.

I am ok with things in my life completely falling apart in the eyes of the world if I do so in the pursuit of the Lord. My pursuit is not suppose to be about being successful, but about bringing Him glory and God will be glorified through both my success and my failure.

So it’s a small sacrifice – selling my car and buying a scooter – but it’s a step. It’s a start. It has been a practical why for me to begin responding to the question that has rattled my soul – am I willing to love people no matter what the cost?

Once my car sells I am hoping to have more resources available to GIVE to others, more resources available to bless those around me with and bless those I am called to be around (the marginalized).

This is not a long argument against consumerism. I’m honestly left with a lot of challenging questions. But I know we have got to stop living how we are living.

Right now, I’m frustrated. I writing this whole post on living on less and giving to the poor while sipping on a blended coffee drink – I’m such a hypocrite.

Seriously, I’m trying hard to make change, but so often I do the very things I don’t want to do. I told myself, “I’ll go to the coffee shop, but I’ll just drink water.” Then I walk in and buy a drink like a money spending robot – only I’m not a robot and I chose to live counter to my values.

So, don’t get me wrong, I’m in the middle of the wrestle. But what I do know is if we are going to reach this world for Christ we’ve got to change. We have got to be willing to sacrifice and step outside of our comfort zones.

Do I honestly care that people around the world are dying from hunger while I eat more than I need? People around the world have no shoes and I have a pair of $150 motorcycle boots in my amazon cart.

Do I honestly care? It’s easy to say I do, but now it’s time my actions begin reflecting it.

I hope you’ll join me in trying to live out the gospel.

I love conversations on this topic. Shoot me an email magicbymaddux@gmail.com (I use to be a Children’s Magician. Lol. That explains the email address).