PUT NOTHING IN LIFE BEFORE GOD

Proclamation:

“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, 'Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?' ... Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow Me."  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.  Then Jesus said to His disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven ... 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.”  Matthew 19:16-26 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, as recorded by the Apostle Matthew under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here Jesus answered the questions of a self-declared righteous young man who had asked Him what he must do to inherit eternal life.  When Jesus told him to keep the commandments, his reply was that he had kept the commandments since the days of his youth. (Matthew 19:20)  Then he asked what else he should do.  That was when Jesus told him to sell all that he had, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Him.  He left Jesus sad because he valued his money and possession more than he valued Jesus.

Application:

Most rich people have more faith in their money than in God, and they value their possessions more than the things of God.  Nothing should be more important to us than God.  We should not put anything ahead of God. (Matthew 8:22 and Luke 9:60)  There is nothing wrong with have lots of money and possessions as long as the money and things are not more important to us than God is.  "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)  Jesus also said that everyone who gave up their worldly possessions to follow Him would receive a hundred times as much and they will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29)  Before we start asking God for more blessings, we should make sure that He is first, and the most important thing in our life.