Riches and Reality

(Today's reading - Ex 16-18; Matt 19:16-30)

The story in Matthew 19: 16-30 is not an assault on the rich, rather it is a statement of reality. Jesus is approached by a rich young man who is obviously very religious. He asks Jesus to tell him the thing he must do to be saved. Jesus tells him to obey the commands. Sounds simple enough... don't kill, don't steal, don't lie, honor your parents and love your neighbor; but not your neighbor's wife (i.e. don't commit adultery). He tells Jesus that he has kept all the law. That is impressive, he has lived a life of obedience to the law, yet he still feels like something is amiss. So, he asks Jesus... “What do I still lack?”

Something in his life told him that obeying rules was not what it was all about. Are we to live in submission to God and His laws, absolutely! But that alone is not enough and the young man knew it. He felt that God demanded more than he had given. He asked the tough question and Jesus gave the tough answer. He knew that something stood between this young man and a real relationship with God. He knew that this man had made money his god. He knew that as long as the dollar was on the throne of this young man's life, there was no room for Him there. “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.”

Jesus didn't pull punches. When He was asked questions, He gave a direct answer. (wish I could be more like that) I can see it now... with love in His eyes, Jesus looks directly into his eyes and confronts the one thing that stands between this man and Heaven... cash.  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. I don't know if sometime later in his life this man finally got rid of the false god of wealth and let God reign in his life; but I know that at this moment he chose wealth over a relationship with the Father. He chose the temporary over the eternal. (we would never do that)

Jesus tells His disciples that it is "hard" for a rich man to enter the kingdom. He tells them that it is like a camel trying to go through the eye of a needle. I have heard many explanations of this reference and I don't care which is right; what matters is the Jesus tells them and us that the rich are going to struggle with the conflict of their wealth and putting God first in their lives. He says that it is possible for them to be saved, but that possibility is only found in God. God is strong enough, His call is loud enough, His love is powerful enough that even the rich can hear and respond. Some will listen and make the decision to exchange the wealth of the world for a home in heaven. Most will not.

In the end it is about value. What do we value the most? What do you value the most? What takes up you time? What do you invest in? What do I give my life to? Jesus calls on us to "sell" out for Him. Get rid of everything that stands between you and God. Then, He says you will have treasure in heaven, where it really counts. What about you? Anything in the way of a relationship with the Savior? If He looked into your eyes, what would he have you "sell"? You can obey your earthly father your entire life and never have a real realtionship with him. Jesus calls on us to move beyond obedience and into a realtionship with Him. Think about it.....