All or Nothing:  The Story of the Rich, Young Man

Devotional written by Freddie Brinson

 

The rich, young man story is a good example of why adults have trouble with faith and a sinless life.

Wealth is not the root of all evil but the tool.  When people have an abundance of anything, the natural instinct is to want more.  When wealth replaces all needs, wants, and desires, what is there left to desire?  Poverty opens the door to faith because in some cases that is all you can afford.  When wealth is available, the things that demand our time and attention are what the wealth was able to buy for us.

Our possessions become what we worship, and that leaves little time for our relationship with God.  Jesus tested the rich, young man by asking him to sell all of his possessions, give it to the poor and follow him.  Even though the rich, young man desired an eternal life, his desire to stay rich was stronger.

Matthew 6:21            - For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:24 - You cannot serve both God and money.

I Timothy 6:10 -  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

Jesus did not say a rich man couldn't enter the kingdom of heaven.  On the contrary, Matthew 19:26 tells us that Jesus said, "with man this is impossible but with God all things are possible."

It is not the wealth that will keep you out of the kingdom of heaven, it is how you use the wealth and if the wealth is more important than your relationship with Jesus Christ.  The rich, young man - like most people - had a strong desire for eternal life and at one moment of decision had the answer to receive it.  Like all people we have the chance to make that decision.  What might your decision be?

 

Outdoor Tip of the Week:  In Matthew 5 verse 17, Jesus fed 5000 with two fish so it is obvious that you don't have to fill the live well to have enough.  A little goes a long way.