It Is Just Stuff

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I tell you it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 19:23-24

  

This past April my mother-in-law had a down-sizing estate sale in preparation to sell her house. Light bulbs turned on in my brain! It was the perfect time to get rid of “stuff” that was cluttering our lives.

When I got going in that “don’t need this, don’t need that” and “haven’t used that since Columbus discovered America” mindset I was feeling freer by the box load.

Jesus had some strong words about the “stuff” in our lives. 

What Jesus meant in this conversation with His disciples about the rich man was that when anything i.e. possessions, influence, reputation, money, family, or friends becomes more important than a relationship with Jesus it is impossible to enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus was not saying it was wrong or a sin to be rich. He was talking about our attitude toward possessions. Jesus knew the heart of the young ruler that had begun this conversation with Him in Matthew 19:16. He knew the young man had placed possessions on the “throne” of his life instead of God. Jesus focused on what the young man valued most. The young man chose possessions over a relationship. He had his values backward.  A relationship with God supersedes ALL other values.

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38).

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

Now, I know I have to look at my stuff through Jesus’ eyes for eternal reasons.

Lord, make me a conduit of your blessings.  I want You to be Master of my life.

Claudia Jackson