Luke 18:18-27
What gives hope and satisfaction to our desire for happiness and security? A person of position and means who had the best the world could offer — wealth and security — came to Jesus because he lacked one thing. (Who was this ruler? He was likely a Pharisee, a religious leader. Matthew’s gospel says he was young (19:20.) This person wanted the kind of lasting peace and happiness that 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 wholeheartedly 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 actual possession and treasure, he became dismayed.
Why did the rich ruler 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 most set our heart on is our highest treasure. The Lord himself is the greatest treasure we can have. Giving up everything else to have the Lord as our treasure is not sorrowful but the greatest joy.
See Jesus’ parable about the treasure hidden in a field. Selling all that we have could mean many different things–our friends, our job, our “style” of life, and what we do with our free time. Jesus challenged the young man because his heart was possessive. He was afraid to give to others for fear of losing what he had gained. Those who are generous towards God and others find that they cannot outgive God in generosity. God blesses us with spiritual goods that far outweigh the fleeting joys of material goods. He alone can satisfy the deepest longing and desires of our hearts. Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you from seeking true joy with Jesus?
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