What is the thing which is keeping you away from eternal life
When Jesus heard these things, He said to him, ”You still lack one thing, sell all that you have and distribute to the poor and you will have treasure in Heaven and come, follow me”
Luke 18:22
The man here is very wealthy. He followed God and throughout his life was obeying all the commandments of God religiously as he understood. The rich man is all about following the rules and making up points and not about firmly connecting to people and God.
Jesus showed him how imperfect his life was. He could show him how selfish and earthly were his thoughts.
Mt 19:21 Jesus said to him, if you want to be perfect, “go sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and come follow me .
Sell all that you love so dearly and give all to the poor and take up the cross .
He thought the wealth is the sign of approval from God. But he was not satisfied, something made him to seek more. His focus was on wealth and may be on society, how society would look at him. That’s why Jesus said ‘sell all that you have’.
Many a times we follow Jesus and do all the good things, prayers, giving, ministry, etc. and God blesses us with wealth, we think we have God’s approval and our focus is on Prosperity.
We are caught up with so much in our work, business, family, etc .but we are not happy from inside, no joy, no satisfaction, contentment.
What is the one thing that is pulling me down?
Mt 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
Today as we see people so busy accumulating wealth, busy trying to be someone, so much competition around.
Pro 23:4 Do not over work to be rich because of your own understanding cease.
I remember many years back, out of some people known to me, some went on the wrong path and accumulated lots of money.
One person was rich. Last year he died at a young age without keeping anything for his family.
In life we have to be joyful, helpful, satisfied, content with life.
Last year towards the end of the year, I was not very happy and I realized I had to give up something. Immediately I found that peace, which earlier I didn’t have. there was joy and I was dancing, dancing without music, it was like I was flying in the air.
Sacrificial giving towards others assures us of treasures that can never be lost.
Sol. Arvind Dias AOJ