Matthew 19: 16-22

Each of us must ask this question: What gives hope and satisfaction to our desires for happiness and security? In the gospel today, a young man who had the best of the world could offer – wealth and security – came to Jesus because he lacked one thing. He wanted the kind of lasting peace and happiness which money could not buy him. The answer he got, however, was not what he was looking for. He protested that he kept all the commandments; but Jesus spoke to the trouble in his heart. One thing kept him from giving himself whole-heartedly to God. While he lacked nothing in material goods, he was nonetheless possessive of what he had. He placed his hope and security in what he possessed. So when Jesus challenged him to make God his one true possession and treasure, he became sad and dismayed. Why did he go away from Jesus with sadness rather than with joy? His treasure and his hope for happiness were misplaced. Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we must set our heart on is our highest treasure. The Lord himself is the greatest treasure we can have. Giving up everything else have the Lord as our treasure is not sorrowful, but the greatest joy. See Jesus’ parable about the treasure hidden in the field? Selling all that we have could mean many different things – our friends, our job, our “style” of life, etc. Jesus challenged the young man because his heart was possessive. He was afraid to give to others for fear that he would lose what he had gained. Those who are generous towards God and others find that they cannot outdo God in generosity. God blesses us with spiritual goods that far outweigh the fleeting joys of material goods. He alone can satisfy the longings and desires of our heart.

Today let us examine ourselves very frankly, and ask: What are the things that might keep me from seeking true joy with Jesus? Is it my wealth, my job, my car, maybe a “relationship,” a certain lifestyle?

Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you from seeking true joy with Jesus?