A large, popular church asked Jesus, “As the head of the church, tell us what we must do to make sure our institution lasts forever?” Jesus said to them, “Why do you call me the head of your church? Isn’t that God’s place? You know what you should be doing…teach your people to tithe, train up your leaders, have a good strategic plan, be culturally relevant.” And the church said, “We have done all these things for years now.”
When Jesus heard this, He said to them, “One thing you still lack. Sell your property and your buildings and everything in them and give all the money to the poor, and you will have treasures in Heaven. Then come and follow me.” But when they heard these things, the big church became very sad, for they were extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that they had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for a big, wealthy institution to change its direction and follow me! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a big church to give up its comfort and really begin to pour into people who have little or nothing to give in return.”
Other churches who heard this said, “If that church can’t effectively minister to the poor, then what chance do we have?” But Jesus said, “If preserving your institution is your highest value, then you will never really make a difference…but if following me is your highest value, you won’t believe what becomes possible!”