4/29/26

This week, I had an interesting conversation with a student at CSUF that we're currently discipling. As I inquired of how he's been doing this week, he shared with me many things on his mind and heart that he's been processing and considering. Among the many things we discussed, one particular issue stood out to me as we began discussing it together. This student is involved in a social group on campus, and is actually a part of their leading team this year as the group kicks off. One of the opportunities he has in leading in this way is to attend a special conference relating to the nature of the group. This is a huge deal for those in this group, and an extremely exciting invitation to receive freely as a leader in the group. In order to be eligible for this leadership position and fully covered tickets to this special event, this student has worked really hard and devoted a lot of time and energy to this group. So, it's understandable that he would be really excited to get to go for free and that he might be somewhat protective of these tickets. That's why it was really hard when a fellow member of the group, who is a senior, asked if he could go in his place as this is his last opportunity to ever go. The student we disciple, *Chase, is faced with a decision - give up his valuable, hard-earned, and cherished tickets to a senior who won't be able to ever go again to this event, or accept what he's worked for and has been given. *Chase is only a freshman, so he knows he could likely go next year, but should he really give up his tickets to this other random guy?

As we talked, it seemed that there were many reasons not to give up his tickets - many reasons which are perfectly acceptable to the average person, and might very well be great reasons; but, the rubber met the road when I asked *Chase what he thought the biblical perspective would be for his current situation. I asked him, "If someone came to you with the same situation that you're currently in - asking for your best biblical advice, what would you tell them?" He thought for a second, considering from what he knows what might apply to this issue, but proceeded to give generic "wisdom" that is mostly in line with the cultural status quo - you earned it, so keep it. I again pressed him for a passage that he would use to support the advice he might give this person. Frustrated, he said, "What!? Am I supposed to just give it to them?!" Reminding him that I haven't done anything except ask him the same question he previously asked me, I asked him what passage might compel him to think he would have to do that. What would it look like to imitate the way of Jesus in this situation? "Well, Jesus would probably give up the tickets! But isn't that a crazy way to live? The other guy doesn't even understand how valuable these are to me and how much pain and effort I've put into getting where I am!" Seeing the wrestle that was taking place between *Chase and his understanding of Jesus' example, I asked some more questions for *Chase to consider in this decision.

"If you were to model the incarnation's condensational nature [that is, the humbling approach of God taking human form] described in Philippians chapter 2, how might your decision be influenced?" "Did Jesus model a way of life that held onto or gave up his rights and privileges for the blessing and benefit of others?" These are terribly painful questions to consider seriously, as the answers will cost us a lot. If we fully imitate Jesus, which we are called to be conformed to, it will actually lead to the loss of much more than some event tickets - we will lose our lives. As *Chase continued to tell me passages that might apply to this situation he was in, he mentioned a very challenging passage that we had actually just discussed together in DMC 1: Matthew 7:7-8. These verses that he quoted to me say that those who ask, seek, and knock will receive, find, and have opened. I think *Chase thought I would use this verse to say that he should give to fulfill this passage for other people (as God's agent), but I was more interested in what came directly following this: Jesus' command for practical application. Often referred to as the Golden Rule, here Jesus commands us to respond to the generosity of God by thinking of the things we want to ask for and then seeking to give those things to other people. Royally offensive. I admitted to *Chase that I'm also offended by the radical nature of this passage, and I'm convicted even now in writing this as I try to consider what it would look like to actually live this out in fullness. Insanity! I also recognize that many Christians would likely disagree with this perspective of radical generosity practically lived out, but I can't help but see the example and call of Jesus to be laying aside rights and privileges for the blessing and benefit of selfish and ungrateful recipients. 

At this point, I again reminded *Chase that my only agenda is for him to thoughtfully consider how he can imitate Christ in this situation. I don't care if he goes to this event or not, but I do care if he is formed to Christ. So, I brought us back to the Bible - "What can we learn about how Jesus would handle this situation?" The evidence seems pretty stacked. Even the best excuses get put to shame by the profound example of Jesus' condensation and humiliation: 

"Maybe the person will be ungrateful! But, did Jesus ever give a gift to an ungrateful person? 

The person won't understand how big of a sacrifice these tickets are for me to give up! Did Jesus ever sacrifice for people who didn't understand the magnitude of it all? 

But won't people start to take advantage of my radical generosity? Did anyone ever take advantage of Jesus' radical generosity?"

You could go on for days with these questions and responses, but the real question that matters is whether or not we are willing to take up our cross and trust Jesus enough to actually obey Him - regardless the cost. This is a very offensive truth that is profoundly difficult to grapple with. One of the last things I asked *Chase in this conversation was this, "What if God wants to use this to form you to His likeness and tangibly give an expression of God's grace to an unbelieving world?" After all, it's not by our immense intellect that they will know we are His disciples, but it was something else...