LONGSHOT

21MAR24

21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again, I tell you, 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.” Matthew 19: 21-24 (ESV)

We live in a world driven by money and material possessions. How much money things cost and how much money we have. Whether cash in a wallet or numbers in an app, it is a natural tendency to want more money. In many ways it is a necessary evil, we do in fact need to sustain ourselves with food and water and shelter, all of which come at a price. A very expensive price these days. But, money should not become the ruler of our lives or a personality trait that we flaunt for others to see.

The Chevrolet can get to the same destination as the Maserati, a Timex will give you the time just as a Rolex, and a purse from target can hold just as much a Luis Vuitton. This does not mean to not reward yourself. There is a time and a place for treating yourself and enjoying the fruits of our labor. But intentions matter, and there is a difference between getting a new car and being entrenched in a constant game of keeping up with the Jones’s. Our purchases should not be filled with greed, seeking to impress our followers on social media. But instead, we should seek to impress the Lord our God. If we are focused more on the content of our closet instead of the content of our heart, we should re evaluate our priorities.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are mightier than all of the possessions and treasures of this world. My identity and my meaning in life is based upon my relationship with you and not my worldly possessions. Continue develop in me the habit of good stewardship, so that you can be glorified. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.