September 21, 2010
Central Truth
We must be willing to give everything up to follow Christ.
When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Luke 18:22)
15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth 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 person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers 1 18:29 Or wife or brothers and sisters or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
This passage was troubling for those living in Jesus’ time and remains so today. A wealthy man, who was earnest about spiritual matters, asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him something that was hard for the rich man to hear, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Luke 18:22)
Jesus looked into the rich young ruler's heart and saw the one thing that the man would not give up for Him.
We hear this verse used often today, and many times we ask ourselves, "Do we really have to give up everything we own?" But why are we even concerned about the answer to this question? Why do we feel possessive of what God has blessed us with on earth? Are we afraid of giving up everything we have to follow Jesus? If so, we have not fully surrendered everything to the Lord.
In my life there are many things that are hard for me to surrender completely to God. However, God has still called me to leave everything I have and follow Him.
1. What is the most important thing you need to give up in your life that has hindered your relationship with Christ?
2. Do you live your life with the blessings God has given you as if they are His and to be used to bring glory to His name or for your personal benefit?
3. What is your number one fear if you gave up everything you had for the Lord?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why was the rich man “very sad” in verse 23?
2. What do you treasure or value on earth? How would you feel if Jesus asked you to give those things up?
3. Is there anything in your life that you need to give up so that you can follow Jesus with all of your heart ?