Go and sell all….” How many times have I read this passage in Mark 10? How often have I read it and skipped over it – afraid to really engage in what Jesus is asking here. In fact, just writing these words is more than uncomfortable for me. There is a big part of me that really longs to avoid, maybe even run, from what Jesus is asking of me.
As business owners and leaders, what’s your response to Jesus’ invitation in Mark 10:17-31 NLT? Given our roles, these words create serious tension.
- Growth or no growth.
- Sales numbers, forecasts, pipelines, opportunities.
- Upsize, downsize, resize, right size.
- Hire, don’t hire; fire, don’t fire; lay off, don’t layoff.
- P&L, balance sheet, dividends, net worth.
- Ideal client, unique value proposition.
- Team experience, customer experience.
- Home for dinner, not home for dinner.
- So much more…
In the midst of such tension….right in the reality of where God has you and me as owners and leaders….we MUST respond to this tough question that Jesus asks.
Clarity of God’s purpose provides the frame against which you can evaluate your priorities, allegiances, temptations and decisions.
I guarantee that without an on-going, ever-increasing clarity of His purpose in your life, you will not be able to respond well to His require to “go and sell all’.
What’s your response to the following verses as you reflect on His require to “go and sell all” Mark 10:17-31 NLT?
As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.
“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
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.”
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
You and I must continue to confront the reality of Jesus’ require to “go sell everything”. When you avoid His “require”, the seduction of building one’s own kingdom begins.
Clarity of purpose, in our context as Christ followers, is crucial to helping ensure we stay the course for a kingdom life well lived. Without a purpose focused on Christ we will, at some point, be so very disappointed. Many do not pause long enough to assess the impact of a life focused on self and not on Christ. Like the rich man they will walk away sad.
The apostle James reminds us in James 1:6 about the impact of operating without purpose clarity focused on Christ.
A Deliberate Application:
- Read Mark 10:17-31
- Is your purpose rooted in God alone?
- Where may you be operating with a “divided loyalty”, a being tempted to hang on and not “sell all”?
