If You Wish to Be Perfect

Acts of Worship
Stewardship for Life

Serving Neighbors,
Serving God

Matthew 19:16-22 The Message

¹⁶ Another day, a man stopped Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
¹⁷ Jesus said, “Why do you question me about what’s good? God is the One who is good. If you want to enter the life of God, just do what he tells you.”
^18-19 The man asked, “What in particular?”
Jesus said, “Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you do yourself.”
²⁰ The young man said, “I’ve done all that. What’s left?”
²¹ “If you want to give it all you’ve got,” Jesus replied, “go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me.”
²² That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn’t bear to let go.

 
For Reflection
What do you possess that might be a deal breaker if Christ had asked you the same question?  If that one possession is holding you back from full commitment to the living God -- full participation in God's plan for the realization of the Kingdom -- could you give it up?  Nothing in life should exceed the value of your commitment to God.

Pray

that you will remain fully engaged in God.  Pray that you will let nothing come between you and serving the Lord.