07/01/2017 - TO WHOM HE LOVED MOST

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But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions Matthew 19:22

The rich young man had everything to be saved and to live eternally at Jesus’ side. If he had listened to Him he would receive treasures in Heaven but unfortunately he loved his earthly riches more.  We also have to choose whom we will love: Mammon or the Lord.  The god of riches is a demon that shackles people, making them beholden to the goods of this world, in order to take them to eternal perdition.  You have the power to choose whom you will serve.

The attitude he took leaving sadly the presence of the Master confirmed the love he nurtured for riches, which surpassed what he had for God.  He kept the commandments only to see if he would go to Heaven, and not with a sincere heart.  The Lord loved him truly, that is why the Holy Spirit convicted him to sell all his possessions and give all to the poor.  However one of his mistakes was he wanted to be lord and not servant.

He was blessed to be received and attended by The Creator of all things, but was too bound to the gold that enslaves the world.  If he had accepted the Lord’s commandment here on Earth, he would receive, while living, 30, 60 or 100 times more and after his death, eternal life.  Could it be that you have also been in error by not being attentive to what God tells you? Those who allow the Lord to direct their lives are truly happy.

The rich young man seemed sincere when he asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life.  The Lord inquired if he knew the commandments and he asked Him “Which?” Patiently the Lord repeated the ten and he guaranteed that he practiced all of them for a long time.  However he didn’t understand that God’s testimony, by the very Word, is also a commandment, perhaps even the greatest of them, for it shows His sovereign will.

He knew that to be in contact with the Word was the Lord’s testimony.  The direction he received was to sell his belongings and to give to the poor because, in truth, he didn’t possess riches but was instead possessed by them.  When man feels that God is speaking to them, they should immediately obey.  On giving His witness concerning something, it can be the last time He will do this.

In accordance with the young man’s astuteness, Jesus cited the commandments recorded in the Scriptures one by one.  On hearing this he must have shown himself to be pleased for at least for now he would not have to believe in the testimony that bothered him so often and readily confirmed to the Lord that he kept them since he was very young.  It is as if he had said “Then I do not have to rid myself of my riches; after all, eternal life is guaranteed to me.”

Jesus went straight to the point and repeated everything he had always said to the heart of that man, for every time that he prayed, read the scrolls of the law or heard somebody preach about this, he felt what he should do, but he retreated and left in sadness.  He wanted to keep his riches because he loved them.

In Christ, with love, 

R. R. Soares