Matthew 19:21-22 Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
What do you value most? That's the question that this gospel vignette poses to us. What would you be most sad if you had to give it up? That's a slightly different question than, what would you be most sad if you lost? Because in fact, there's an even greater sadness that comes if we have to make the choice to lose something of value? So what is it that you value the most?
Would someone observing your life from the outside know that you valued it the most? Would someone who looks at your calendar and your to-do lists and your checkbook know that you value your family the most? Or your relationship with God? Or whatever it is that you claim to value the most? Does your lifestyle line up with your stated values?
The young man that Jesus spoke with ran into a conflict with his stated values (he wanted to enter the kingdom of heaven) and his lifestyle: he didn't want to lose his possessions. And he went away grieving. Would you?
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
This Sunday is Reformation Sunday. Wear red to worship at 8:30 and 11 with Education Hour in between at 9:45.
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