#Matthew 19:16-30 enlightened me, on what seems to be, a very controversial issue........ money.
Some people have a lot of it, most have experienced a lack of it, yet some have so much that it loses it's purpose! Here in this passage, a very wealthy man asked Jesus a very good question: 'What good thing must I do to get eternal life?' Now, Jesus goes on to remind Him of what the young man already knows, to obey God's word; but the man says that he has kept these commandments since his youth, but still persists and asks Jesus 'What else can I possibly do?'
Let's focus on this part, before the man gets challenged by Jesus with a task.
The man has a surprisingly good attitude. This man is striving for... perfection. Quite often we too have a similar attitude like this, just coming out of the service; when we're praising God; even when we're saying our vows! (I still have a long time to go on that one) But it's true! Those times when you believe you can do absolutely anything with God on your side! Life is bliss.
Yet when we are faced with a trial, why do we let our peace so easily be stolen from us? Let's take this young man's situation for example; he is a wealthy man. He keeps God's commandments in his heart! In other words, he's heading in the right direction! Here he is willing to serve the Lord, so he wants to know what else Jesus requires from him.... Now this is when Jesus really challenges him by telling him to sell everything he has, because Jesus knows what this man holds as a treasure in his life. He treasures his possessions. Previously in #Matthew 6: 21 ,it says 'for where your treasure is, there your heart is also.' So in the case of the young man, Jesus clearly sees his true heart's desires, from what he chooses to follow. Jesus offers this man a way out of his own guilt. He said 'If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you own, give to the poor, and come follow me.' But the man leaves saddened and fallen into a trap of guilt, that for many for us can be SO easy to fall in to! But don't be discouraged, the Lord your God will always provide you a way out of your sin, if you choose to accept his guidance.
I would like you to think if there is anything that YOU may sometimes choose to follow before God (your career? your friends? your 'wallet's desires')? It's easy to see that money is not the only worldly object that will trap us in situations that seem to make us become selfish, angry or annoyed. Sin is all around us! You just need to sharpen your sword, and everyday choose to be a true witness of God wherever He may lead you in life!
Everything He has given you in this life, can be used to bless others or break others. But it's not anyone else's choice on how you choose to use your money, or your time. So make a decision, to make wise decisions! :) Because this life is not about how much money you have, or how many people you can impress. It comes down to it being the greatest opportunity that God has given you. To laugh, to help, to love, to bless! God is only interested in what your heart's desires are, and the funny thing is.... He already sees them.
