DAY #125: Luke 18:18-34

A religious leader asked Jesus a question about what he should do to get eternal life. He viewed eternal life as something that a person could achieve or earn through certain works or good deeds, and he wanted to make sure that he did everything necessary.

Regarding the man’s question, Jesus at first pointed him back to the commandments (meaning the Ten Commandments). Jesus listed only five of them—those dealing with human relationships. He did not list any of the first four commandments that deal with a person’s relationship to God. All of the ones listed could be easily identified—the man probably could honestly say that he had not committed adultery or murder, had not stolen or lied, and had honored his parents. To keep the letter of these laws would be relatively easy for a wealthy young Jewish man. Yet he still felt strongly that something was lacking in his life. So he asked if there were more he should do. The point is that even if a person could keep all these commandments perfectly, which this man claimed to have done, there would still be a lack of assurance of salvation.

The man saying that he had kept all the commandments led Jesus to focus on the man’s relationship to his material possessions (alluding to the last commandment not to covet) and on his relationship to God (the first four commandments that Jesus had not mentioned). Jesus perceived an area of weakness—his wealth—and so said that it was the money itself that was standing in the way of his reaching eternal life. So Jesus told him to sell everything he owned, give away his money to the poor, and then follow him. This challenge exposed the barrier that would keep this man out of the Kingdom: his love of money. Ironically, his attitude made him unable to keep the first commandment: “Do not worship any other gods besides me”. The young man did not love God with his whole heart as he had presumed. In reality, his many possessions were his god.

The young man became sad when he heard this. Jesus does not ask all believers to sell everything they have. He does ask each person, however, to get rid of anything that has become more important than God. If your basis for security has shifted from God to what you own, you may need to get rid of those possessions.

Offered discipleship, the man chose to return to his possessions. Jesus sadly pointed out to his disciples that it is hard for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God. Because money represents power and success, the rich often miss out on the fact that power and success on earth cannot provide eternal salvation. Even if they use their money to help good causes, they can still miss out on God’s Kingdom.

Because the Jewish people saw riches as a sign of God’s special blessing, they were astounded when Jesus said that riches actually worked against people finding God. So they asked, “Then who in the world can be saved?”

Jesus answered that what is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God. People cannot save themselves, no matter how much power, authority, or influence they buy. Salvation comes from God alone. Both rich and poor can be saved, and human impossibilities are divine possibilities. The rich need to hold their riches loosely, remembering that every penny comes from God. And they should willingly use what God has given to advance his Kingdom. This does not come easily for anyone, rich or poor. Money can be a major stumbling block, but God can change anyone.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

The challenge of ministry here in the San Ramon Valley is found in this passage. It is so very easy for people with money and power and position in life to feel like salvation and eternal life is another acquisition to obtain. Jesus debunks that and asks - no demands - that He be first.

Jesus doesn't want to be another piece of the pie in my life. He wants to be the pie. He wants to be first. He wants my total obedience and total allegiance. That is true discipleship.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Lord, I don't want to be like that rich guy. I want to be completely yours. I fall short so often. Keep being patient with me. I'll get there. Lord, build a church at COV that bucks the trend of the San Ramon Valley. Build true disciples here. Grow people who will follow you in complete obedience, putting you first in their lives above all else.