September 20, 2016
WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?
Luke 18:15–30
Amy Massinger
Central Truth
Putting your faith and hope in anything other than Jesus will ultimately leave you unfulfilled and disappointed.
Key Verse | Luke 18:22–23
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. (Luke 18:22-23)
Luke 18:15–30
Let the Children Come to Me
15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
The Rich Ruler
18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For 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.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers 1 18:29 Or wife or brothers and sisters or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Dive Deeper | Luke 18:15–30
When I read this passage in Luke, my first reaction is to scold the rich young ruler. There he is face to face with Jesus, and he walks away sad because he can't part with his "things." Then I sit and pray. It becomes painfully clear that I make similar choices every day. God shows me where I am misplacing my trust and value, but my response is often to try to find another way that does not displace my comfort.
Money and privilege are not always the issue. Sometimes we are rich in our pride and self-sufficiency. Pride often keeps me from fully enjoying my relationship with God. Faith in my pride leads me down a road of going through the motions, legalism, and rule following. Jesus' message to the rich young ruler emphasizes that there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. No matter the wealth or success, our salvation is freely given to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
God is not looking to rip us off or keep us from enjoying His blessings. He loves to see His children outwardly joyful and content. The trouble comes when we try to pursue joy and contentment by wanting more of the tangible and not from deepening our relationship with God.
Discussion Questions
Matthew 6:21 says, “ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
1. What “treasures” are you storing up for yourself to provide security?
2. Are you looking for contentment and joy in the tangible instead of the eternal?
3. If Jesus were to ask you, would you be able to give up all that you have to follow Him? If not, what is keeping you from making that sacrifice?