| Exodus 8:1-9:35; Matthew 19:13-30; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 6:1-5
“A man came to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to have life forever?'” (Matthew 19:16)
Boy, isn’t that the question on all of our lips. The man wanted to know what deed he could perform that would make him right in God’s eyes. When Jesus listed a bunch of sins to abstain from and a few good tasks he could perform, the young man said, “Well, hey, I haven’t done any of those sins and I do those good things already.” Surely the guy was feeling pretty good about himself. Jesus upped the ante by telling him to sell all that he had and give it to the poor. The little fella went away sad because he was rich. The deeds he did and the sins he abstained from didn’t impress Jesus, they were obviously not his true struggle. Jesus would rather hold your hand and walk through a hard area with you in an honest fashion rather than pat you on the back for a self-righteous coverup.
How many of us cling on to the security this world offers. Bottom line is this man’s identity and security were wrapped up in his financial status. If he sold everything could God be trusted to sustain him? Why would he want to give it all away to the poor? They don’t deserve his hard earned money. That would also make him on their level, dependent on others. What a scary thought. No, he couldn’t do that. If Jesus was on the up from God he would never ask him to do that.
But God does ask us all to do this in one form or another. For some it’s physical riches, for others it’s people or things that they love. Is God trying to be mean? No. He just wants us to see how attached we are to this world. He doesn’t want us to be bound to people, places or things that can break us, He wants us flexible and free. God’s heart is that we would love, trust and be obedient to Him. He wants to be number one in our lives. We probably ask God like the disciples asked Jesus, “This is impossible, who then can be saved?” Jesus told them and He’s telling us that not everything is possible with men, but ALL things are possible with God.
The disciples said, “We’ve left everything for you boss.” And Jesus’ reply was that no one has ever left anything that God will not multiply back to them plus give them life eternal. I’m telling you, we can’t lose with the stuff we use! God is faithful. He doesn’t really want your “stuff,” He just wants your heart.
PRAYER:
Lord, give me a heart that seeks after Your kingdom first. Help me realize that if I will trust You then all things will be added to me. I have nothing to fear, I release myself to You in the name of Jesus. Amen. |
