Matthew 19:21-22
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
In today’s Scripture we read a sad story. A young man approached Jesus and asked what good thing he needed to do to inherit eternal life. In questioning him it was determined that this young man was obedient to the Law of Moses and he even loved his neighbor as himself.
In verse 21 Jesus gave him an invitation that could have changed his life. Jesus challenged him to place his priorities in eternal assets instead of temporal assets. If he made the correct choice he would bless people here on earth and gain treasures for eternity. This would not earn salvation but would indicate his trust in Jesus.
Here was an obedient and observant man who prided himself on doing even more than the Law required, yet he went away from Jesus with a sad and heavy heart. His love of worldly possessions robbed him of being a follower of our Lord.
I wonder how long it was before he realized that the puny wealth of worldly goods amount to nothing. It is a question we must ask ourselves and especially in connection with today’s Scripture. Where is our heart of love?
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil