Matthew 19:16-30

The Rich Man
We finish off chapter 19 with a sad story of a man who thought he could buy his way into heaven. This man comes to Jesus thinking that righteousness can be earned and he asks Him exactly what he must do to inherit eternal life. Before Jesus answers Him he corrects the man on His view of “goodness”. Jesus has a much broader view and interpretation of the word “good” than the rich man. He says that only God is good and that all goodness derives from God. Even the ability to keep the commandments themselves is a good that comes only from God.

Jesus tells the young man to keep the commandments if he wants to enter eternal life. Jesus is not saying that you can earn your way into heaven. To keep the commandments is not to establish your goodness or value before God but it is to be an expression of your faith. Jesus clearly tells us that God’s grace is a gift that is not to be earned. Salvation is a gift that is received through faith and faith alone.

When Jesus listed the commandments for the young man to obey He left out the “Do not covet” command because He knew what the young man was struggling with. This was his main problem and Jesus addressed it by giving the commandment in a different format. He says to get to eternity he must sell all his possessions. The young man struggled with his level of commitment because his wealth was getting in the way. He didn’t want to lose all the material comforts that he had amassed. His material wealth had a higher priority in his life than God did.

Love for material possessions is an addiction or compulsion that makes it almost impossible to truly be humble and trust Jesus alone for salvation and sanctification. As long as we believe we can buy our way out of our problems we will never achieve a true walk of faith with Jesus. Thank God that Jesus says “with God all things are possible” in verse 26. Left on our own we would fail and fall deeper into dependence on our own “stuff” but with God’s help the inconceivable is possible. Only Jesus can turn our life around and bring hope where none existed. Only Jesus can bring emotional and spiritual health to what once was in despair.

Giving Jesus control of our life is the only way to regain independence from our addictions and compulsive behavior issues.

Have a great day.

God bless.