Our Greatest Possession
Scripture Reading: Luke 18:18-29, 19:1-9

Today’s Treasure: “Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!  Indeed, 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’” (Luke 18:24-25).

A rich young ruler.  A chief publican.  Both wealthy men.  One walked away lost.  Salvation lodged at the other’s home.  Give this question some time: What do you think the difference or the differences might have been?

Salvation was not impossible for either one of those rich men.  Both had the Son of God standing right there in front of them…willing and able to deliver.  The difference was that one saw how much he had to lose.  The other saw how much he had to gain. 

Jesus looked at the rich young ruler and saw a prisoner.  The man wasn’t really the ruler.  His possessions were.  In telling him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor, Jesus pointed him to the only path to freedom.  Sometimes when our possessions have us, we have to get rid of them to be free.  In the end, the young man followed his “god” and walked away grief stricken over his own choice. 

Notice, Christ did not ask Zacchaeus to sell everything he had and give to the poor.  Maybe because once he regarded Christ as life’s true treasure, his wealth didn’t mean nearly as much to him—which I believe is probably God’s primary point to the rich.

Luke 19:8 records that “Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord!  Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’”  Here and now!  The moment the Holy Spirit moves, I often sense a greater empowerment to respond generously.  The more time I allow to pass, the more my selfishness is apt to well up. 

Please realize Zacchaeus did not receive salvation because he gave to the poor and paid back everyone he owed.  Rather, his actions were evidences that a true turn had occurred—the essence of authentic repentance.  What is the most marked difference you see that Christ has made in your life?

A cynic might say, “Why did he only give away half to the poor?”  It may have taken every other shekel to pay back the folks he cheated!  Anyway, God isn’t looking to take away our possessions.  He is looking to make His Son our greatest possession. 

Lord Jesus, I long to desire You more than any other thing.  Help me be free of the ties I have to money, possessions, power, or anything else in my life that tries to exalt itself over You.  I pray to be quick to obey You.  Help me see that if I lose everything else but gain You, I am rich beyond all measure.  In Your holy name, Amen. 

Adapted from Jesus the One and Only, by Beth Moore, pages 252-260.  Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2002.  Used by permission.