Luke 5: 1 - 11
1 "While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennes'aret.
2 And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets."
6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking,
7 they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord."
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken;
10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zeb'edee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men."
11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him."
This is such an amazing Gospel reading to me. Jesus had just given these men more than they could ever have dreamed of having, yet they gave it all up to follow Him.
Why do we have such a hard time seeing the gifts Jesus gives us - He doesn't even ask us to give it up - He just asks us to follow Him.
We all need to share our time and talents with others. We need to use these great gifts to do God's work and work through Him.
And ~ if we have funds available, we should help in monetary ways. No - we don't have to give everything away but we should share what we have been blessed with.
Some of the world's wealthiest people are starting to see the light on this:
Investor Buffett and Microsoft founder Gates are urging American billionaires to give away at least half their wealth during their lifetime or upon their death by signing the Giving Pledge, which so far has 40 members. (Read the story by clicking on it.)
We should do what we can to make the earth and mankind in general ~ better! We need to find a peace that is missing. Let peace begin with ME!
