Nothing

Luke 22:35-38

Charles Thomas Studd, often known as C. T. Studd, was a British cricketer and missionary.  His story has had a profound effect on my life.  Norman Grubbs writes: “Charles Thomas Studd was born in England in 1860, one of three sons of a wealthy retired planter, Edward Studd, who had made a fortune in India and had come back to England to spend it. After being converted to Christ during a Moody-Sankey campaign in England in 1877, Edward Studd became deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of his three sons and influenced them for the cause of Christ before his death two years later.”

It was while in China that C. T. reached the age (25 years old) in which according to his father's will he was to inherit a large sum of money. Through reading God's Word and much prayer, C. T. felt led to give his entire fortune to Christ! "This was not a fool's plunge on his part. It was his public testimony before God and man that he believed God's Word to be the surest thing on earth, and that the hundred fold interest which God has promised in this life, not to speak of the next, is an actual reality for those who believe it and act on it."

Before knowing the exact amount of his inheritance, C.T. sent £5000 to Mr. Moody, another £5000 to George Müller (£4000 to be used on missionary work and £1000 among the orphans); as well as £15,000 pounds to support other worthy ministries. In a few months, he was able to discover the exact amount of his inheritance and he gave some additional thousands away, leaving about £3400 pounds in his possession.

Three years after arriving in China, C. T. married a young Irish missionary from Ulster named Priscilla Livingstone Stewart. Just before the wedding he presented his bride with the remaining money from his inheritance. She, not to be outdone, said, "Charlie, what did the Lord tell the rich young man to do?" "Sell all." "Well then, we will start clear with the Lord at our wedding." And they proceeded to give the rest of the money away for the Lord's work.”

You may be wondering how does this wonderful story of faith tie into Luke 22:35-38?  So listen to the question Jesus ask and the reply of the twelve; “And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”  (Luke 22:35 ESV)  It saddens my heart when Christian groups send people out on the street to beg from the non-Christian, as if God is broke.  What shame that brings on the name of Christ, for when God sends us out He will instruct His servants on what they are to take with them.

On this first trip they were instructed to take nothing, and what did they need, nothing.  But this time Jesus is giving a clear message to take your moneybag if you have one, and a knapsack, and even a sword.  One might ask, what is happening and the answer is Scripture is being fulfilled in Isaiah 53:12, “Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”  It has been said by a teacher I’ve sat under, that the moment Peter used the sword Jesus became numbered with the transgressors.  But long before that the religious leaders had numbered Jesus as one who was a transgressor, but it is a wise person who grasp that Jesus was pure, sinless, the Lamb of God whose blood was shed for your sins and mine.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice