Bible Study - Hard (3) - Sell Everything You Own - Matthew 19:21-30 - April 28, 2019

Bible Study – Hard (3) – Sell Everything You Own – April 28, 2019

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “HE Said What? Hard Sayings of JESUS.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 19:21-30.

Choose JESUS or worldly wealth, because you can’t live for both.

Choose wisely my friends.

Let’s read Matthew 19:16-20:

The Rich Young Ruler

16 Just then someone came up and asked Him, "Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?"

17 "Why do you ask Me about what is good?" He said to him. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

“Someone” came up and addressed JESUS as “Teacher” and asked HIM a question. The term “teacher” is the Greek equivalent of the Jewish term “rabbi.” The man approaching JESUS recognized and acknowledged JESUS as an authority on Jewish religious issues. Then this person asked JESUS, “What good must I do to have eternal life?” JESUS responds to the person’s question with a question. “Why do you ask ME about what is good?” Why did JESUS respond with this question and a statement, “There is only One who is good!” Notice “One” is capitalized. No doubt JESUS was referring to GOD. I think JESUS wanted to know, do you see me as “Teacher” or “GOD”? The person’s response gave HIM the answer “What good must “I” do to have eternal life?”

The person’s question has a blunt, arrogant tone to it to me.

I think this person knew that JESUS was well respected and had a handle on the Jewish religion, at least according to all this person knew. The person believed he was in right standing with GOD. Was he looking for kudos from JESUS or did he have a genuine interest in a Spiritual checkup? JESUS knew this man’s heart. JESUS Knows our hearts as well.

There are times every Christian needs a Spiritual checkup. Do you know when such a time presents itself? If you answered, “When you take the LORD’S Supper,” you are correct. That is a time when every Christian needs to come before the LORD naked and transparent, meaning hiding nothing, and ask the Holy Spirit to examine their hearts and reveal any thing they need to confess and lay on the GOD’S altar and walk away from. Every Christian’s desire is to have no unconfessed sin in their lives and seek to be completely obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

JESUS gave him the opportunity to reveal how good he had been. JESUS asked him, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

Notice the person’s response as we read on -----

18 "Which ones?" he asked Him. Jesus answered, do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness;

19 honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.

20 "I have kept all these," the young man told Him. "What do I still lack?"

What did JESUS leave out? Coveting! Why do you think JESUS left out coveting? Could it have been that JESUS knew that this young ruler likely coveted because he was wealthy. JESUS likely did not want the young man to get sidetracked by focusing on coveting, instead JESUS wanted to get to the core this person’s issue, which HE quickly got to as we read on------

Let’s read Matthew 19:21-22:

21 "If you want to be perfect," Jesus said to him, "go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."

Notice that JESUS did not tell the young man that he would gain eternal life. Instead, JESUS told him, if perfection is your goal then, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."

My, my this must have rattled this young man’s cage because wasn’t wealth GOD’S stamp of approval?

What do you think flooded through this young man’s mind e.g. if I sell everything, how will I have things, I will have to go to work or beg for support after all I am self-sufficient because god or my wealth has taken care of me!

So how did this young man handle this instruction from JESUS, the Teacher? Which was more important, selling his stuff or following JESUS?

Getting rid of the things that prevent us from building the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS is vital to building the right relationship with GOD. What are some of these things in your life?

Does GOD ask all of us to sell all that we have and give it to the poor? No! But if some of the things we are holding onto are barriers to having the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS, then yes! But it does not have to be material things. It may be relationships, work habits, social life, sports either participation or watching and the list goes on.

Ask GOD to reveal to you what you may need to get rid of in your life to better serve HIM. When GOD reveals the answer, how will you respond? How did this young man respond? Let’s read on ----

22 When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

Oh my, this was not what this young man wanted to hear.

Think about it. When many who are called into ministry and accept their call for ministry, most have to raise their support, go back to school, etc. It is tough, especially those with families. Then there is the support side. Those who give to support those called often may struggle to provide support. Supporting others in ministry may be a struggle but the joy and reward for those who support others comes from the knowledge of ministering right along with those called who are serving.

This young man did not get the answer he wanted and “went away grieving.”

JESUS used this exchange as a teaching moment for HIS disciples as we read on ----

Let’s read Matthew 19:23-30:

Possessions and the Kingdom

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven!

24 Again I tell you; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, "Then who can be saved?"

As you recall, when a person was wealthy, he or she was blessed by GOD, according to the Jews. When JESUS made these comments about the rich person, HIS disciples were confused. If the rich cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD, then who can? What did the disciples of JESUS likely have in their minds? We have given up our jobs and have walked with JESUS, will we get into the kingdom of GOD? But they needed to think what had they done? They had left their jobs and followed JESUS. Often, when we are obedient, we fail to see it.

JESUS gave a puzzling response.

HIS disciples were shocked. JESUS said, “"I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven!

24 Again I tell you; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

The “eye of the needle.” There are at least two thoughts regarding the “eye of the needle” (1) the eye of the needle was a narrow entry between two walls. Some say this opening had a gate and the camel had to get on its knees to get through the opening. (2) Another thought was rather than a camel trying to go through the eye of the needle, it was a rope trying to go through the eye of a sewing needle.

The point being some people may have extreme difficulty accepting JESUS as their Savior and making HIM the LORD of their lives because of human barriers in their lives. It is not just wealth that may be a barrier but anything that you covet or hold onto more than getting rid of it and accepting JESUS as your Savior. That is anything!

Is this easy to do? NO! Every person needs help and that help comes from the Holy Spirit. Our part is to be willing and GOD’S part is the filling. Trust JESUS to give you the strength to be obedient to HIS call.

26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

JESUS’ disciples may have looked bewildered. JESUS gave them the solution "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." JESUS’ response likely gave them some relief but Peter had an important question as we read on ----

27 Then Peter responded to Him, "Look, we have left everything and followed You. So, what will there be for us?"

28 Jesus said to them, "I assure you: In the Messianic Age, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.

29 And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life.

30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Great question brother Peter! When is the Messianic Age? It is during the 1000-year rule of JESUS upon earth. HE did not elaborate on this. Likely, JESUS had already instructed HIS disciples regarding the end times. We do not know. Obedience to the call of GOD results in eternal life. GOD calls all to accept JESUS as their Savior by faith.

JESUS gave the response to HIS disciples and in turn HE gave it to every person who has been or will ever be called to minister for JESUS. We need to keep in mind that is not just missionaries, pastors, evangelists, etc. serving the body of the church but it is every Christian. Some are called to be plumbers, teachers, mechanics, pastors, missionaries, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, lawyers, medical personnel, business people and the list goes on. Keep in mind the widow’s mites as recorded in Mark 12:41-44:

41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.

42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.

43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;

44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

It is not the quantity of what we do or give but it is the attitude of our hearts. GOD sees and knows our hearts. Be a cheerful giver and blessings will flow. Blessings!!!