SELLING OUT

A young man came to Jesus one day and asked him, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus replied, “Why ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”  “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” (Matthew 19:16-20)
The answer Jesus gave next presses us all rather deeply when application is made. Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (19:21) This of course might be money at some level, but more likely it concerns whatever is involved in “go and sell all your possessions.” As we live in various kinds of commitments as believers (like this young man) there are apt to be a number of things that still possess us. Things like cell phone brain rot, media addiction, sports, television habits, political obsession, false identities, fake religion, critical spirit, unhealthy relationships, and basically those things that are not Kingdom like.

What we give up to give to the poor could be to ourselves as the poor… without knowing we are poor. We are needy for Spiritual rebirth or reform. By so doing we would in kind give to others that are poor. Jesus concluded this as he did in most of his Kingdom parables, “You will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.” It is to get rid of our presumed religious protection and performance and truly follow the Kingdom way.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Jesus