The other night we went to Mass in a different town. The readings were about Jesus entering
Jerusalem for the last time, riding on a donkey. I have to admit, I've heard
that story many times but never had much cause to think about the donkey.
 |
| Credit: Claudio Gusmao |
Now we have donkeys not far from us, and I can tell you
those things can be loud and annoying if they want to be. That's really my only experience with
donkeys, so I didn't give the one Jesus rode much thought. So this sermon was an eye-opener.
You see, donkeys were a lot like cars, pickups, and tractors
all rolled into one back then. A good
donkey was a treasure that not many people owned. If you had one, you could ride it, you could
use it to haul things, and you could use it to plow up the land for
planting. They were very valuable.
In fact, the priest said they could be the equivalent of
$50,000 in our society today.
So think about this for a second. You have this nice, brand new car that you
recently purchased for $50,000. It is
sitting in your driveway, and these two guys show up out of the blue and say,
"We need your car."
"Need my car?" you ask as if you know you haven't
heard them correctly. "Why?"
"Because the Master needs it."
HAHAHA!
You tell me, would you give them the keys and let them know
there's a full tank of gas in it?
See, the donkey in this story is not an insignificant detail
like I always thought.
That donkey
represents our possessions on this earth!
Are we willing to surrender our possessions for God's
glory? Are we willing to give the things
we have worked so hard to obtain to Him when He asks, just because He asked?
And notice, Jesus didn't Himself go to get the donkey, He
sent His disciples. So it might not be
Jesus that shows up on your doorstep. It might be that deacon from down the
street wondering if you could help them move some things on Saturday. It could be that lady from the church asking
if they can use your Crockpot for the benefit.
The question is: are
you allowing God to use your possessions for His glory? Or do you hoard what you have, making sure
you are the only one to gain benefit from it?
Do you willingly give up your greatest, most costly treasures on this
earth so that God's glory can be revealed?
What's your donkey?
And what are you doing with it?
Staci Stallings Author Bio &
Tag Deep in the Heart
Staci Stallings, the author of this article, is a Contemporary Christian
author and the founder of Grace & Faith Author Connection. Staci has a
special surprise for you today and tomorrow only...
FREE ON KINDLE TWO
DAYS ONLY!
April 18 & 19,
Staci's novel:
Deep in the Heart
"This is more than a romance.
The author cuts straight to the heart of God–love. God
is love.
Even through unexpected tragedies. And we can overcome evil with good–by
His love."
--Betty Anne Bantz
Can Keith defy the most powerful men in
Texas to follow his heart?
