Devotion:
Read Matthew 19:16-22.
So many of Jesus’ teachings trouble me, and this is one of those. This young man is focused incorrectly on what he must do in order to receive eternal life. Jesus gives him the expected answer by quoting five of the ten commandments and reminding him to love his neighbor as himself. While the young man’s response that he has kept all of those might sound arrogant, we have no reason to think he answered with that attitude. We can accept at face value that he has followed the rules and loves his neighbors, but he clearly senses that something is missing in his life. Jesus goes to the heart of the matter by challenging him to sell his many possessions, give to the poor, and come follow him. The young man’s wealth was his priority, so he made his choice and walked away sad.
This troubles me because, by the world’s standards, I have wealth. Many of us do. This passage teaches us to use our financial means as a way to love our neighbor, never letting love of money and the things money can buy us become our focus or priority in life. How would Jesus answer if we asked, “What must I do…?”
Personal Worship Option:
Almighty God, I want following you to be my first priority in life. Give me the wisdom to know what that means regarding how I am to use my money. Help me also to understand if there are other priorities I am putting first. Then give me the faith to go where you lead me. Amen.
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