ESOCS Devotional 20 October 2021
TEXT: MATTHEW 19: 16-23
MEMORY VERSE: “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, one thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up thy cross, and follow me” (Matthew 19: 21 KJV).
In our text today, a certain young man, rich and royalty, ran up to Jesus. He inquired of the Master what else he needed to do in order to inherit the eternal life (vs. 16). In response, Jesus listed some of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20: 12-16; Deut. 5:16-20; Lev. 19:18). It looks amazing to note, from the young man’s answer, that he had kept the Commandments from his youth. For us, it may not be out of place to think that the young man still felt that something was lacking. It may have occurred to him that strict obedience to the law alone will not save, for by works of law can no man justify himself before God. (Rom. 3: 20).
In verses 21-22, Jesus simply told him to go, sell all his goods, and distribute the proceeds to the poor, and then take up his cross and ‘come, follow me.’ However, the man failed the test because he lacked the willingness to abandon material wealth for the Kingdom of God. But we must all keep in mind that no material sacrifice is too great to be paid in order to follow Jesus (Rom. 12: 1-2). Finally, Jesus told His disciples how difficult it is for the rich to be about the kingdom business, largely because their minds are continually directed and controlled by that which is of this world (Matt. 13:22). More often, the wealth of the rich diverts their attention away from those spiritual things that will exist, long after life on planet earth, (2 Peter 3: 10-11).
- Those who are rich can’t make heaven. True?
- Lord God, bless the works of my hands. But never allow me to drift into unbelief due to wealth.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 8: 1-17; Hab. 2: 1-19; Acts 15: 22-35
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ESOCS Devotional 20 October 2021
