Greatness: Matthew 14-20Sample

According to the Global Wealth Report 2022, Australia was the fourth richest country in the world. The ranking is determined by the average wealth per adult in a nation. If we are the fourth richest nation in the world, it is not a big stretch to say we are rich.

This means today’s readings are targeted at us. Jesus’ answer about what this young man must do to inherit eternal life is as much for us as it is for this rich young man. Jesus told the man to sell all he had and follow Him, but the man couldn’t do it. “When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:22, ESV).

Is it Jesus’ goal to make us poor? I don’t think so. But what is obvious throughout the Gospels is that Jesus cares about our heart and who has it. Matthew 6:24 makes it clear we cannot serve both God and money. It is not that you have to give all you have away, but you cannot be in service to money. And Jesus wants us to see Him as our everything. If Jesus asked you to give it all away to follow Him, would you do it?

Today, ponder this: How tightly do you hold onto your wealth? How are you using your wealth in a way to further God’s kingdom? If you struggle with imagining giving away your wealth, what is it that makes this difficult?