ONE THING THOU LACKEST
"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." - Mk 10:21
We all know the story of the young rich man who came to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17-31). I want to draw our attention to two facts that will help us, being lessons from this young man's encounter with the Blessed Saviour.
Firstly, he came to Jesus to find out what he must do to inherit God's Kingdom. Jesus referred him to the commandments (verse 19) and the rich young man replied saying that all the commandments he had carefully observed from his youth (verse 20). Despite that, the Lord judged him still to lack something.
Although, the assertion of the young man may be true according to the Pharisees' sense and interpretation of the law, which condemned the gross outward act, not the inward lust and motion of the heart; yet, according to the Saviour this man was grossly mistaken to think well of himself, and to conclude his perfection! Jesus' reply to him was "one thing thou lackest …"
Our lesson here is that we should never think too highly of ourselves in the things of God. It is a dangerous and fatal thing to do; after all, our righteousness has been judged as filthy rags before Him (Isaiah 64:6). The point is, if our own righteousness was in any way satisfactory with God, He wouldn't have offered us His own righteousness through Christ Jesus, His Son - 1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9
The second lesson to learn is that a desire to inherit God's kingdom must be accompanied with a fervent heart, disengaged from the world and a complete renunciation of it and what it stands for! This was what this young rich man lacked. Jesus had just told him to go, sell his belongings and bless the poor therewith, take up his cross and follow Him. Rather than obey the Saviour, the Bible says that he went away sad and grieved, for he had great possessions (verses 21-22).
Friends, let me make an outstanding statement of fact about heaven and wealth here on earth. The richer you are here on earth, with no ardent commitment to serve the Lord with your wealth, the slimmer your chances of making heaven! "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of God", Jesus says ( verse 23 ).
Be wise therefore with your wealth; never allow it to hinder your entrance into God's kingdom.
Have a blessed day!
PRAYER
Dearest Heavenly Father, with humility of heart, I thank you for having saved me by your Grace. Haven given your all to save me, I release all that I am and all that I have to serve you in appreciation thereof, in Jesus mighty name.