The rich, young ruler was passionate.

The Scriptures say when he saw Jesus, he ran, he bowed, and then, unabashed by the listening crowd, he sought out Jesus’ wisdom. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus answered, “More than fulfilling a check-list of dos and don’ts, value God above all else.”

The ruler’s passionate fire fizzled, and with it, his name, authority and wealth all dissolved into history.

Passion was also a trait of the apostle Paul.

Paul began as an eager rabbi who sought to destroy the early Christian church. He kept the Jewish law and went after those he thought were recklessly breaking it. But then Paul met the Messiah. Unlike the rich, young ruler, Paul turned his passions to Jesus. He handed over his blessings — his authority, his education, his time, even his tent-making skills — and he used them to spread God’s goodness: Jesus’ gospel.

God wants our passion. Our money, our intelligence, our talents, our skills, our authority are God-given tools. Whether we have the power of Queen Esther, the musical aptitude of the shepherd David, the education of the apostle Paul or the wealth of the rich, young ruler, these things are God’s blessings to us. The abundant life God promises comes with passionately using our blessings from Him, for Him.