Ledger Legacy

Matthew 28:18-20

When I was growing up, if I wanted something that cost money, I asked my Mom. That’s because my Dad grew up on a farm in Iowa where money was really tight. He learned very quickly how to count pennies to make ends meet.

He transferred that lesson to me. I still remember him sitting at his desk almost every night, writing entries into his ledger. He probably recorded every penny spent and every penny earned. I’m guessing he had columns for groceries, car, the house and probably one for me, since I was always getting Mom to buy me stuff.

However, he never sat down with me and explained his ledger. And yet, almost from the time I went to college I kept my own ledger. And before getting married, I put one together to make sure we could afford such a big step. I learned how to do this by watching my Dad over eighteen years. I guess you could say, I was his disciple.

God spoke these words to Moses to prepare His people for the Promised Land.

⁶ These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.    Deuteronomy 6:6-9 AMP

These verses were written to parents about raising their children. But they’ve been applied to rabbis and disciples; rabbis like Jesus and disciples like Peter, James and John… and you and me.

When Jesus first called his disciples he said, “Take up your cross daily and follow me”. When he left his disciples for the last time he said, “Go make disciples… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Being a disciple is a lifetime, two-way street. First you are a disciple; then you disciple others.

My Dad left a ledger legacy that he passed on to me, and in turn, I passed on to my daughter. What does it mean to “make disciples”? Do like my Dad did; set an example, live it out daily, and talk about it. When you do that, your children, your neighbors, your co-workers will see what it means to be a disciple, and those with faith will follow.

John 1: 43-51

In Monday’s beautifully written Blog, Simon Peter met Jesus. The writer insightfully transcribed how differently God views each one of us, from the way we perceive ourselves and each other. Today’s reading recalls the day Philip and Nathaniel came face to face with the Savior. As I read each word I was compelled to think about how we should look at others from a different point of view as well.

Philip acknowledged Jesus as “the one Moses wrote about in the Law.” Jesus foretold they would "see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Perhaps Jesus envisioned who was positioned where, when His final day came to pass. Philip and Nathaniel were in the crowd.

Think for a moment, how differently we would manage our lives if we knew certain things ahead of time.

If we were aware that our husband or wife would only be with us for one more year, how differently would we love? If we had the knowledge our daughter would be separated from us as an adult due to family conflict would we be sure to create more positive memories for her today? If we somehow knew that as we aged, our health would significantly deteriorate, would we live more boldly now?

As Nathaniel and Philip approached Jesus, Nathaniel declared; “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; the King of Israel.”  It was as though Nathaniel had a sense the others did not. He understood what and who Jesus was. From that moment on, Nathaniel lived his life differently.

Can we attempt to live in such a way? Gleaning from every moment, a sense of urgency regarding taking care of others as though they will not be with us tomorrow? To do so, we will need to take a heavenly viewpoint.

God, “Give Me Your Eyes.”

Read/Listen to John 1:43-50

View You-Tube video “Give Me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath