What Is Your Most Prized Possession?

The lure of wealth is powerful, and it can blind us. When you are impoverished and lack the basic necessities of life, we dream of a rescue from the desperate situation. When the pull of fame comes, the lights, the cameras brighten the room, and the thought come, at last, I’ve made it, I’ve been discovered. We become elated to be chosen. Then one day your face could be on the front page of the news paper, talking about you on the news, you are flashed on every platform all over the internet telling of the misfortunes. Worldly ambitions of fame and glory can bring a hardy fall. When we follow God’s way, Our talents will be used were many will receive His glory. You will be able to travel around the world, sharing the gospel through your talents. You will see thousands receive the precious gift of the Holy Spirit. When you walk on the platform to display your talent the audience will come to there feet every time. The rewards of serving God is greater than anything the world can offer.

The rich seem to have everything going for them. Let’s take another look at the rich young ruler. He addressed Jesus as the “Good Master.” His words and posture communicated respect. Despite the distractions of how young he was, his wealth, and his power, this young man had a interest in spiritual matters. He asked the question: “What must I do that I may have eternal life? The young ruler recognized that Jesus had the answer to his question. Sadly the young ruler’s entrance marked far more excitement than his exit. He arrived in a rush, eager for an answer, but he went away grieved. His meeting with Jesus didn’t turn out as expected. Jesus cut right to the heart of the matter. Jesus challenge the the man to consider what he really believed about the one he was addressing. If we are unable to comprehend who Jesus is. We will not commit fully everything in our lives to him.

The rich young ruler’s actions demonstrated he really did not know. Jesus told the young man he needed to keep the commandments. He said to Jesus that he had kept them. With a smile on his face, the young man had another question: “What yet do I lack?” Despite keeping the commandments. the young man realize something was missing in his life. Youth, wealth, and power did not fill the emptiness inside him. Knowing what was inside the man, Jesus loved him anyway. Love is not afraid to speak the truth. Jesus told the young man what he was missing. “One thing you lack, go your way, sell whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross and follow me.” The young man was not ready to accept this level of commitment. His life was full of material abundance. Maintaining his stuff and growing his wealth consumed his life.

Although the young ruler did not realize it , Jesus was offering him freedom from the dictator of too much. But the man could not bring himself to throw off his golden chain and embrace the eternal life he claimed to seek. He was sad at what Jesus said to him, and went away grieved; for he had great possessions. He could not fathom exchanging all he had for the life Jesus offered. Paul wrote, “For the love of money is the root of all evil; which some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Let there be no misunderstandings, money is not the root o all evil. it is the love for money and material gain led to countless sorrows, ruined lives, and lost souls. The problem with riches is that they often possess us instead of us possessing them. Jesus offered the antidote to the affliction of affluence. “Sell whatsoever you have,” was Jesus challenge to the young man. This made no sense.

How will he have if he sells everything? His life was overflowing with great possessions, so he had no room for the eternal blessings he was looking for. Many people in this materialistic world face the same problem as the rich young ruler. Overtime at work, pursue side jobs so they could afford more stuff or make payments on what they already have. The children’s schedule are packed with activities hoping it would earn them a scholarship to earn a great paying career. All these extracurricular activities are clutter that needs to be cleared out that is keeping us from Jesus. Any possessions that are consistently keeping us from doing the will of God, it may be time to reconsider our relationship with those items. The call to follow is a call to seek God’s kingdom above all else; above all we hold dear. It is difficult for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom.

You say, if a rich young ruler who faithfully kept the law of Moses could not earn heaven, what hope do we have? “With God all things are possible.” If God has blessed us with material wealth, we should be grateful for His provisions. We do not need to apologize for what we have or feel guilty. But we must also be careful not to cling so tightly to our blessings that they become a curse. Every sacrifice made on the behalf of the kingdom of God will be rewarded. We are being called to take up the cross and follow Him. By carrying the cross we may have to abandon other pursuits. We may have to rethink our priorities. Carrying the cross for Jesus and carry baggage of the world, we must choose one for the other. “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross , and follow me” (Mark 8:34). “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” The rich young ruler seemed to have everything, but in the end, he was destined to lose everything of real value.

Jesus promised, “Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first” God sees every sacrifice you have ever made; not one has been overlooked or forgotten. You can expect that He will reward you a hundred fold. Many individuals will not give up everything for the sake of the gospel. And there are those who are willing to lay down their lives so the message of Jesus could be heard. Furthermore we add, there are some who may not have wealth, or worldly fame, but they have received the report of the King of Kings, saying “Well done my good and faithful servant.”