Luke 18

“Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (22). Jesus understood the young rich man. He was “good” in many ways: he did not murder, lie, commit adultery, or dishonor his parents. But Jesus knew that possessions could grip just as tight as any other sin or addiction, which was why the man resisted Jesus’ words. Yet Jesus was calling him to the freedom that can only be experienced when we totally trust and depend on God.

Whatever we give up for “for the sake of the kingdom of God” (29), Jesus said, will be far surpassed by the treasures of life with him, now and in the age to come (30).