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How would you react if God told you to give up something big? We know that we are supposed to give God our tithe and offerings. We even know that, especially around the holidays, people become extra benevolent with gifting others, but what if God told you to give up something crazy? Think of your favorite possession, what if THAT was the thing that he told you to give. What if he told you to give one of your cars to someone who doesn’t have one or to give a truly sacrificial offering to the point where you can’t see how the rest of your bills would be covered for the month? Would you be able to trust him and do that thing? Today we will look at the last of our idolatry mini-series and talk about our treasures being our idols.
We are going to take a look at the story of the rich young ruler. When the story starts with Jesus traveling. A man runs up to him and asks how he can inherit eternal life. Jesus replies that the man that should know the commandments and specifically says he should not murder, commit adultery, steal, give false testimony, or defraud and that he should honor his father and mother. The young man replies that he has done these things since his youth. Jesus then counters and says that he should sell all of his possessions and give them to the poor. The young man walks away from Jesus, as the New American Standard Bible says, grieving.
The young man’s actions tell me a couple things about him. First his possessions were more important to him than what God had for him. He started the conversation with asking Jesus how he could inherit eternal life. He knew the reward that was being offered but he couldn’t bring himself to complete the action that was required. He wouldn’t sacrifice in his present moment for a future reward. How often do we settle in the present because we can’t see what is in the future? If God has made a promise to you, it may require some work or some sacrifice, but the end result will be so worth it.
The second thing this shows me is that the young man didn’t have a heart for God or for the poor. Matthew 6:21 says that wherever your treasure is, the desires of your heart will also be. Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give them to the poor and he made the decision not to do that. So not only was he only focused on himself and his desires, but he cared more about his possessions than the people he could have helped. When it comes to Jesus, he loves a giver. Jesus even says in Mathew 25:40 that whatever you do for the least of these, you have also done for me. This young ruler could have blessed the poor and in Jesus’ eyes it would have been like him blessing Jesus as well.
In today’s time, world seemingly revolves around how much money you have and who has the flashiest car or the biggest home. In Matthew 6 Jesus is teaching His “sermon on the mount” and teaches about giving to the needy, prayer and fasting, money and possessions. In Matthew 6:19-20 Jesus starts by saying not to store up treasures on earth where the moths will eat them, and rust will destroy it and thieves will steal it but to store your treasures in heaven. Jesus repeats that last line to the rich young ruler right before he walks away. Money and possessions will come and go but if we lose sight of what is most important, then we are no better than the rich young ruler. Don’t let idolizing possessions of this world cost you the blessing of eternal life.
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The passage illustrates the importance of being a beacon of light in dim, dark places, as guided by Luke 11:33-36. One must not let comfort lead to dulled awareness, but instead consciously illuminate one’s environment. It urges self-reflection on how one’s personal light can lead others towards embracing Jesus.
The Lord’s Prayer 11 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone
The Beatitudes 20 And He raised His eyes toward His disciples and began saying, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when the people hate you, and when they exclude you, and insult you, and scorn your
I have been lost a time or two. Usually, because I got distracted and wandered off the intended path. Whatever sparked my interest was enough to cause me to lose sight of my intended destination. In this passage, we find Jesus as a child, so focused on His Father’s business that he wanders off from his parents. In my own life, I’ve found that I’m not prone to wander towards my father’s business….but away from it.
If you or someone close to you is in need, we would be honored to lift you up in prayer. We believe in the power of prayer to bring peace, comfort, and reassurance during times of hardship. Our community is ready to join together and pray as we trust in God’s love and unending grace.
