Matthew 19:16-30 The Rich Young Man

It is easier for me to think of doing something to get eternal life. The concept "there is no free lunch" is pretty embedded within me. If I need something, I buy it. I work to earn the things I need. Unfortunately, the kingdom of God is not like that. The rich young man asked Jesus what he must do to receive eternal life and Jesus told him: "keep the commandments." To be certain to major on the important ones, the young man asks: "which ones?" Jesus goes through a partial list of the commandments and the young man feels pretty confident that he has kept them. He has done well.

But Jesus challenges the young rich man: "If you would be perfect..." The kingdom of God is about being. The doing follows the being. I turn God's kingdom upside down when I think that doing is what comes first. Doing without being is empty and void. My heart cannot be committed to the things I do unless I am changed from within. The Lord prescribes to the young rich man what he needs to be perfect: "sell what you possess, and give to the poor, and come follow me." The young rich man went away sorrowful...

What do I have to give up in order to be perfect? Do I own anything I must give up? Is there something in my life that I must give up? Are there habits that I must give up? Attitudes? Beliefs? Values? Lord, help me pinpoint what I need to give up to truly be perfect.

It is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God (as difficult as passing a camel through the eye of a needle). Some scholars believe that the eye of a needle is a small entrance at the gate of a city. It is not easy for a camel to make it through. But if we go by the impossibility expressed by the disciples, it may actually be a thread needle becoming a figure of speech to express an impossibility. But for God nothing is impossible. He can change a rich man's heart. He can change my heart. Salvation, eternal life, entrance into the kingdom of God is not about performing the commandments; it is about being perfect and that being is brought about through the transformation power of our God alone.

There is no sacrifice (giving up something for less) in the kingdom of God. I can't give up anything for which God will not compensate me a hundredfold. My job, my salary, my family, my possessions, my anything cannot amount to more than what God can offer me. God promises me a compensation that cannot be measured by earthly possessions when I decide to follow him. When I decide to follow him into ministry, there is no sacrifice no matter what I give up.

Father, create in me a heart that is willing to abandon it all and follow you. I am yours. May nothing in this world hold me back from committing myself wholeheartedly to serve you.