Where your treasure lies, there your heart will also be
Matthew 19: 21-23 "Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow Me.' When the young man heard this, he went away sad because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.' "
There is some level of debate as to whether or not Jesus literally meant that the young man needed to rid himself of his possessions and wealth to enter Heaven. Most view this as a non-literal statement, meant primarily to identify what the young man truly valued in his life.
The fact that this young man went away sad at the thought of having to sell his possessions, rather than overjoyed and amazed that he had been offered the opportunity to personally travel with and learn from the Son of God, shows us what he valued and loved.
Then Jesus says that it is hard for a rich man to enter Heaven. Again, debate ensues over whether or not this is a literal statement. Do earthly riches really disqualify someone from Heaven? Most of us say no, that the real issue is what we value and love.
It is difficult for those with wealth to imagine living life without it. Further, they may view it as God's special blessing on them. If God blessed them with wealth, they figure, why would He ever ask me to give it up?
The key is to boil everything down to the greatest of all commandments He has given to us- love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Think about how you would react if given the choice between wealth and God. (Before you dismiss this as a choice you would never be forced to make, remember that we just read a factual account of one young man who was asked to make this very choice- it happens!) If you find yourself feeling relief and comfort over the interpretation that says Jesus didn't literally mean for us to sell all of our possessions, you may have just given yourself an indication of where your heart truly lies. (Hint: not where it should lie)
There is some level of debate as to whether or not Jesus literally meant that the young man needed to rid himself of his possessions and wealth to enter Heaven. Most view this as a non-literal statement, meant primarily to identify what the young man truly valued in his life.
The fact that this young man went away sad at the thought of having to sell his possessions, rather than overjoyed and amazed that he had been offered the opportunity to personally travel with and learn from the Son of God, shows us what he valued and loved.
Then Jesus says that it is hard for a rich man to enter Heaven. Again, debate ensues over whether or not this is a literal statement. Do earthly riches really disqualify someone from Heaven? Most of us say no, that the real issue is what we value and love.
It is difficult for those with wealth to imagine living life without it. Further, they may view it as God's special blessing on them. If God blessed them with wealth, they figure, why would He ever ask me to give it up?
The key is to boil everything down to the greatest of all commandments He has given to us- love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Think about how you would react if given the choice between wealth and God. (Before you dismiss this as a choice you would never be forced to make, remember that we just read a factual account of one young man who was asked to make this very choice- it happens!) If you find yourself feeling relief and comfort over the interpretation that says Jesus didn't literally mean for us to sell all of our possessions, you may have just given yourself an indication of where your heart truly lies. (Hint: not where it should lie)
posted by Robert Jory Allen at
10:21 AM
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