53:241018
One Thing Lacking
(PT 2 of 2)
IV) A testing command
V22 “.So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”
Those who would have the ‘Eternal Life’, that is in Christ Jesus must be prepared let everything else go at His bidding …
Matthew 19:24 “again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
“Treasure in heaven” … is the coveted portion of all those heart is right with God. What so many of those who are rich, that can’t take it with them, and have thought ‘ I can’t but me the same life in Heaven’. They look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen & eternal.
“We may possess many good things and yet lack the
one thing needful”
# The one needful thing is a whole-hearted unstaggering [relentless] faith in the Lord Himself #
V) A sorrowful result
V23 "But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich..”
I’m sure if the Pharaoh’s could see that all their riches, it bought nought, and was left behind for anyone who wanted it. Would they spend it on more fabulous statues and Pyramids? Although Christ gave him the Word of life. But the deceitfulness and the Pharaoh’s riches chocked it.
Matthew 13:22 “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”
Proverbs 11:28 “He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.”
I feel if these 2 verses don’t make it clear that your riches, stat here for others, whom you know nothing of! Most of us have heard of the Chinese ‘Terracotta-Army’, this clearly shows that this got to show his wealth was ripe for grave robbers. It really did the ‘Emperor Qinshihuang' no good. We all come into this World with nothing, and leave this World with nothing.
So don’t be foolish, and learn from others, don’t get blind and stop held back. It’s time to relieve the burden, most all in the UK here have heard of the broadcaster ‘Chris Evans’. Whose wealth was around 60 million pounds, turned around one day and shocked most by saying I don’t need all this money to live comfortable, thus he gave away 3/4’s of his wealth. Many called him insane/stupid/out of his mind. I’m sure all those calling him these names would not give one red cent, they must have felt threatened, in case they were expected to do like wise. If just these 3, Bill Gates- Oprah Winfrey & Elon Musk gave away ½ of their wealth, imagine what could be done in just the USA. That’s including the Arabs shaqs, the mountain load of Russian million & billionaires and others. NO poverty, Water wells dug for those in the African countries, and the list goes on.
VI) A Forcible Application
24 “..And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life..”
It is easier for a camel to be unburdened, and to crawl through the narrow side gate into the City, and that would have been no light task. Jesus put it like this ..V25 “ For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” .. My wife and I say how we would give helping some of our local charity's. Randomly visiting large and small supermarkets, like Tesco's for instance. We’d sit in the managers office, watching the tills out of sight, that is very important, as the blessing is not about us, but God. We would call a till and tell them to let the shopper know their food bill free today, and we pick up the bill instead. There are so many ideas like this we have that is meant to give God the glory not us.
It may come as a surprise to many that, NO camel, by it’s self, could untie the obstructive bundles from it’s back. As no more, can the rich buy themselves free from their burdens of life, and love of their riches, but .. V27 “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” .. Peters response is one that those whom are rich need to remember their wealth counts for nought when we meet the Lord.
V28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
Not that Christ Jesus needed reminded as He knew the sacrifice His disciples had already gave to follow Him. Our first ever sacrifice we make as Christians, is to turn our backs on the old sinful lives. To sacrifice our selves for the interests of Christ .. is to receive manifold more in this time, and in this World to come life everlasting.
Prayer ...
Lord Jesus, we thank you for your Word, may we take it's seeds into our bossom and grew them. So that we are NO longer lacking in area of our lives we gave freely to you. Now we are growers lets plant your seeds in others, in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
