“Sell everything you have and give to the poor…then come,
follow me.” Luke 18:22 NIV
The rich man in this story had piety but he didn’t understand
what true goodness is. He followed most
of the commandments but he failed to obey the most important one : You shall
have no other gods before me. His love of money, comfort, prestige all
outweighed his love of God. He was proud of his upright life but it was
worthless because it was not based on a love for God and a desire to obey him.
Jesus knew exactly what was going on in this man’s heart and he didn’t waste
any time by suggesting half-measures. God has to be the most important person
in a Christian’s life, no exceptions made for law-abiding citizens.
I don’t think Jesus was suggesting that the man give all his
money away and become destitute, but Jesus wanted this man to be freed of his
attachment to his things and money. Jesus saw greed in this man’s heart and he
wanted that gone. One of the best ways
to overcome greed in my heart is to give money or time or possessions away . It
is especially powerful if I don’t have any surplus at the time. Jesus never
wants me to be bound by the lies of sin including greed. He wants us to be free
in the Father’s provision.
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