SELL EVERYTHING YOU OWN

Matthew 19:16-26

Choose Jesus or Worldly Wealth, because you can't live for both.

The concept of having "no possessions" is not a new teaching.  Lao Tzu, author of the Tao Te Ching wrote a similar teaching around 600 BC.

Jesus, however, makes the teaching apply specifically to God and our inner desires.  Jesus teaches us WHY it is important to "give up the stuff"  


"I don't care about loosing all the money.  It's loosing all the stuuuuuuuuuuuufffff."

The Jewish Pharisees and most of the Scribes of the first century stressed that the way to please God and to receive his blessings both now and in the future was to do good things, specifically to keep the written Old Testament Law and rabbinical oral laws.  Like Lao Tzu this thinking focuses upon the outward obedience more so than inward motivation.  "If you do...then you will be."  While there is some truth to this concept, the concept "If you will BE...then you will do."  is much more powerful.

Jesus always stressed that outward obedience was not enough.  Of primary concern was the condition of a person's heart–his or her cor.  The core of our being, the cor or heart, is what motivates us to BE.  

In this story of the "rich young ruler" Jesus first points him to God.  "Why do you ask me about what is good? ... There is only one who is good."  Only God is truly good he teaches him.  Only God is perfectly righteous and holy.  Only God sets the standard for goodness.  God has revealed this in his law so Jesus directed the young man's attention to God's standard and directed him to, basically, do what God has told you to do.

The young man asks "which ones."  Realize the significance of this question.  Jesus has just pointed out that ONLY God is perfect.  ONLY God is the standard of goodness.  ONLY God has provided the instructions and direction by which we may seek his standard.  The young man basically asks, which ones can I pick and choose from?"  Isn't that the way that WE are.  Do I have to follow ALL of them???

Jesus gives him a partial list of the external actions that deal with an individual's relations with other people – the external actions which may be judged by others.  Jesus lists them out of the order they are presented:  6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, then 5th.  He also adds the general command to love one's neighbor as you love yourself.

The young man's response:  Oh!  I do that.  What else do I need to do? is also typical.  Jesus' response was not so typical.  If you want to be completely whole Jesus tells him, sell all of your belonging and give to those in need.  Then you will have your treasure in heaven; THEN come follow me.

Jesus tells him:

1. Stop possessing the things that posses you.
2. Convert them into a means whereby you may help those in need it.
3. Help those who are in need.
4. Then follow after Jesus (God, Spirit) and his teachings.

 Jesus was telling the young man that he was aiming too low by merely trying to keep the commandments (legalism).  That was only an external sign.  What he needed was the will and the ability to serve God and others that could only come through a relationship with Jesus (God, Spirit).

The young man's possessions (and perhaps ours too) held the place in his heart (his cor, his core) that only God should occupy.  Jesus knew that this young man could never take the step of following after God (Jesus) as the center of his life until he took the first step of divesting himself of the possessions that possessed God's place at the core of his being.

The young man knew that Jesus was right.  He went away sorrowful, pained and distressed because his possessions so strongly possessed him.

Jesus then tells his disciples a shocking statement:  It will be hard for a person possessed by riches to enter the kingdom of heaven.  It will be easier for a camel (large animal) to go through the eye of a needle (very small opening).

Jesus' disciples were utterly astonished.  Then who could be saved?!  If the wealthy, those viewed as being most blessed by God, could not make it into the kingdom of God, then who could hope to be saved?

Yes, wealth can tempt and pull people away from giving themselves fully to God the Father and his son Jesus.  God can enable even those who are addicted to their money and status to see the two types of treasurers before them and to choose the one that can never rust or be stolen.  God Calls us to choose the eternal treasurers over possessing the things that possess us.