'Want To Be Perfect?' - Matthew 19:21-22

Jesus told [the young man who said he had kept the commands of the law], "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.


Matthew 19:21-22 NLT

Key Thought​



It's the statement "for he had many possessions" that is most important here. Jesus moved past commands to the heart issue for the young man — he had great wealth and it was what separated him from total loyalty to God. To follow Jesus meant to give up everything for the work of the Kingdom, and the young man could not give up his possessions.

It is easy for us to be trivial with Jesus' demand. We can say, "Wealth was the young man's god, or having many possessions was his problem, but that Jesus doesn't demand that we all sell everything we have." This statement is both correct and dangerous. It is correct in that the observation is true. It is dangerous, because our possessions hold many of us back from Jesus. Many of us are affluent by world standards, but middle class by our affluent culture's standards. Let's not remove the demand of Jesus too quickly from our hearts. Let's let it linger long enough to see if we would react differently from the young man. Let's be honest about the grip that possessions, wealth, convenience, and power have on us.

There was no joy for the rich young man in his decision to keep what he had. There was only sadness: sadness that he had found the Kingdom, but wouldn't pay the price, and sadness that he rejected the Kingdom to keep what he valued most.

The real question for each of us is what do I value most? Do we choose to hold on to it or to follow Jesus?


Today's Prayer​


Holy God, I let so many things distract me from an undiluted devotion to you. I don't want to let these things distract me. I want every breath I breathe to be spent serving and honoring you for your incredible sacrifice of Jesus to buy my salvation and to give me your grace. Please forgive my failures, sins, inconsistencies, mistakes, and lapses in passion. Please empower me to live more fully to your praise. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings​


Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
f1IjJhnLMjE


Continue reading...
 
Nothing we have brough to this world and nothing we will be able to take to heaven. So, let us all share the blessings Jesus has given to us. Buy bibles and give to the homeless. Buy food for pantries that feed the unemployed. Build more churches and Christian Schools in your town and city. Give and it shall be given to you.
 

Similar Requests

  • Article Article
Looking at the man [who said he had kept all the commandments], Jesus felt genuine love for him. "There is still one thing you haven't done," he told him. "Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the...
Replies
0
Views
116
  • Article Article
[Continuing his rebuke of the disciples for arguing about forgetting to bring enough food, Jesus said,] "When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?" "Twelve," they said. "And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large...
Replies
2
Views
165
  • Article Article
[After Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah,] Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. "The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things," he said. "He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the...
Replies
1
Views
129
  • Article Article
[After the rich young man left rather than sell his possessions and follow Jesus,] Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I'll say it again — it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich...
Replies
2
Views
64
  • Article Article
[Jesus continued:] "If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is...
Replies
0
Views
51
  1. Articles Articles:
    🙏 🌟Let's lift up @Shagric who's feeling lonely and stressed, @Endand dealing with health concerns, and @Thalere seeking God's guidance. Also, pray for @Anonymous's son's healing and all others needing support! Let's cover them in prayer, friends! 🙌🏼 Jesus, we trust in You!🌷
  2. Articles Articles:
    🙏 💙 **Let's Pray Together!** 💙

    Hey everyone, let's lift up these urgent requests:

    🤒 **Healing:** @Anonymous's son needs healing & peace from PTSD.
    🛡️ **Protection:** @Ilourley & son, and @EnricoLange's family need protection.
    💔 **Comfort:** @Shagric is going through a tough time.
    🙏 **Guidance:** @Thalere needs God's direction & peace.
    🤝 **Support:** @Aile's husband & family need unity & strength.

    Please pray in Jesus' name! 🙏💖
  3. Articles Articles:
    🙏 😇 Let's lift up @MelissaRae for healing from congestion, and @Ilourley for protection. Remember @Endand in prayer for hope and @Shagric for comfort. Let's also pray for God's guidance for @Thalere. 💪🙏 In Jesus' Name.
  4. Articles Articles:
    🙏 📢 **Prayer Updates:**

    🤍 Let's unite in prayer for Tihomir, Petranka, Kosta, Ivo N., Nikola, Nedelin, Gergana, Plamen, Nikolai, Ivayla, and @Vladi777.

    🤍 Pray for @Stitcher’s sister who broke both wrists and is awaiting medical results. Pray for her healing and family's strength.

    🤍 Remember MelissaRae dealing with congestion, and @Ilourley seeking protection from a difficult situation.

    🤍 @Shagric needs prayers for worries, fears, and stress. @Aile requests prayers for her husband and family.

    🤍 @Endand could use support feeling lost and struggling with sickle cell anemia.

    Pray for them all in Jesus’ name. 🙏💖
  5. Articles Articles:
    🙏 🤝 Let's lift up these prayers together!

    🌟 @Pelwach's family needs peace and love, especially for mum.
    🛫 Pray for Vincent's safe travel and healing tomorrow (@Typhlerion)!
    🤒 @MelissaRae needs healing from congestion.
    💔 @Endand needs hope and encouragement for the future.
    🙏 @Thalere seeks God's guidance and wisdom for life's direction.

    Let's come together in Jesus' Name! 🙌
Your donations for running this web site are greatly appreciated.

Click To Make A Donation

Latest Blogs & Articles

Back
Top Bottom