Matthew 19:16-22

Wisdom from above concerning our attitude toward wealth Matthew 19:16-22: The rich young ruler came running to Jesus. He knelt down in the presence of the Lord manifesting his humility. He asked the most important and interesting question that any person can ever ask of God. His question was, "What good deed must I do to possess eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16) He was interested in having eternal life.

Jesus told him, "...you must continually keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:17) The young man said he had been obedient from youth. But, he asked, "What still do I lack?" (Matthew 19:20) Jesus told him that to have spiritual maturity he must, "...go and sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Matthew 19:22) He would not obey. He would have had far more than he was asked to give up if he had only been willing to surrender to the Lord. The church in the twentieth-first century has been drastically affected by the same problem, materialism. Many sell their souls for a few perishing things!

The rich young ruler wanted to go to heaven, but he wanted to go on his own terms! We see the same thing with denominations today. They have their own teachings. They say, "Just pray the sinner's prayer, and you will go to heaven!" They have their instruments of music in their worship services, sometimes even a full band. They want salvation, but they want it on their own terms. It seems as if many want to go to heaven but few are willing to live in simple, humble obedience to what the Word of God teaches.