ICS Daily Devotions
Love God with All Your Heart
Matthew 19:21-26 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, 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.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
As Christians, how can we ensure that we have a balanced life and walk in the blessings of God that add no sorrow with it?
The rich young ruler had great wealth but was unfulfilled which is why he came looking for Jesus because neither did religion help him. What he really needed was a life—a life that walks with God.
He claimed that he had observed all the law, but all of us have the sin nature in us and none of us can use the law to make ourselves righteous. Jesus nailed the root of his problem, which was a heart issue. The thing that had been holding him back from loving God wholeheartedly is the love of money. His trust and love were in the money that he possessed.
Many businessmen claim that they love God, but when faced with a business deal which calls for them to choose between their business ethics and Christian principles, they are happy to compromise. Just like the rich young ruler, their hearts are not in God but in their money and position.
Jesus continued by saying that it is difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God because of their love and trust in money, but we mustn’t stop at this verse and draw a conclusion that to be rich is difficult to love God, because the following verse says, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”.
This means that with God, it is possible for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God if their heart is set right where their focus, faith and trust is in God rather than riches. These people can be saved because they know that their source of provision comes from God.
Sermon Series: Finding True Rest
