Focal passage: Matthew 19:16-26
Nathan Schaeffer once wrote, “At the close of life, the question will not be, ‘How much have you gotten?’ but ‘How much have you given?’ Not ‘How much have you won?’ but ‘How much have you done?’ Not ‘How much have you saved?’ but ‘How much have you sacrificed?’
“It will be ‘How much have you loved and served,’ not ‘How much were you honored?’”
When I think of Schaeffer’s words, I am reminded of Jesus’ conversation with a wealthy young man in Matthew 19:16-30.
The young man asked Jesus how he could have eternal life. It was a great question, but Jesus knew there was something that captured the man’s heart more than following him, namely, his wealth.
Of course, money is neither good nor evil. It is a tool that can be used to glorify Christ, or it can lead you farther away from God.
Tragically, the young man had allowed his wealth to capture his heart and was not willing to give it up to follow Jesus.
I am afraid there are a lot of people like the young ruler that have mistakenly substituted outward performance as a means of salvation instead of a heart sold out to God.
They will have climbed the ladder of life only to realize it was leaning on the wrong wall.
They will gather worldly treasures only to lose them when they stand before God.
Where is your heart?
Where is your treasure?
Are you asking, “How much have you gotten?” or “How much have you given?”
God offers eternal life to every person, but you must be willing to deny yourself and follow Him.
Jesus’ words remind us that eternal life is free, but it may be costly.
Are you willing to give up all your worldly possessions in order to gain eternal life?
As you consider that question I can personally express that Christ’s rewards are far greater than anything we could ever give up in this world.