Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 348

December 14;      Mark 10:21;      38/260;      ‘The Importance of Money’

Mark 10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." 

Jesus taught, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).  A rich young ruler came to Jesus wanting to know how to receive eternal life.  Jesus told the young ruler to keep the commandments and he told Jesus that he did.  The Lord Jesus then gave him a ‘heart check.’  The ruler was told to give everything he had to the poor and follow Jesus.  The Lord was not going to make the ruler give up everything he had.  Jesus just wanted to see if he was willing to give his possessions up.  Jesus loved him.  How much did he love Jesus? Unfortunately the rich young ruler was not willing to do this and went away sad.  The Lord knows the priorities of your heart.  This is so important for you and I to know.  Our Lord is very aware of what or who is the most important priority of your life.  Jesus is not being selfish, demanding that you make Him the first priority of your life.  The truth is that unless Jesus is the first priority of your life, your life will never have the significance it can, nor will you be blessed to the degree He wants to bless you.  Your life will never influence as many of the lost as it can.  When Jesus is your first priority, you will look for opportunities to introduce everyone you know or meet to the Lord Jesus Christ.  His love for us caused Him to leave the incredible beauty of heaven and come to earth to be mocked, humiliated and crucified.  When we get to heaven we will see His scars, received for our salvation.  I want Him as He looks at me to know that He was always first place in my heart and the life I lived reflected the importance He was to me.