Men of ObedienceSample

The Next “Better Thing”

Jesus said if you have two shirts (cars?!), give one away (Luke 3:11).

Yikes!!

One day, my friends and I were discussing biblical teachings on money.

Don’t store up wealth where moth and rust destroy (Matthew 6:19). As you've been loved, love (John 13:34-35).

Obedience to those commands would overhaul our budgets and hearts and transform what we love and how we live.

A friend of mine was reeling before this radical teaching, and another friend wisely asked, “Could you give away $1?”

This funny and almost insulting question catalyzed my first friend's journey of obeying biblical teachings. More than $1 was obviously possible, and he began to give.

We need to keep Jesus’ radicalism married to the next small step of our obedience.

Jesus intends to lead us from Egypt to the Promised Land. He’ll take us from selfishness and self-preservation to self-sacrifice and service.

This extreme change mostly happens one day, one step, and one decision at a time.

My wife has wrestled with depression for years. When that dark cloud hovers, it’s like driving on a highway in a whiteout. She’s adopted a brilliant motto. In those seasons, she asks herself, “What’s the next ‘best thing’ I can do?” She may not be able to see three steps down the road, but she can see the next immediate step, and she usually takes it.

The danger of small steps is that you can hide from Jesus’ leading if you want. Some of us have only been giving away $1 for too long. Others have been failing to find 5 minutes to pray for years. “Small steps” can be a smokescreen for unwillingness to obey.

There’s also a danger in forgetting that Jesus sometimes leads us to significant steps. Leave your fishing trade and become fishers of men (Matthew 4:18-20). Give away everything you have to the poor, and then come follow me (Matthew 19:21).

When He asks us to take large steps, we must obey.

Most of the time, we obey His radical commands (love one another!) one small step at a time. My next steps today look like hosting friends, driving kids to dance class, making a challenging phone call, and trying to write this devotional with clarity and conviction.

Gentlemen, what are the next steps of obedience in your life right now? Show your faith by your deeds today (James 2:18).

Prayer: Lord, I’ll follow. Show me what’s next. Amen.

Reflection: Where have you taken little steps (like beginning to give money away) that led to an increasingly changed life? Share that story with someone today!