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We have been repeatedly taught about the sacrifices that disciples of Jesus Christ have to make to follow Him. Luke 9:57-62 and 14:26 highlight some of these sacrifices. Examples are: doing away with creature comforts, putting aside family responsibilities and detaching ourselves from all things dear to us. To diligently follow Jesus requires a life of total commitment and surrender to Him without any earthly distractions. Matt. 6:24 put one sacrifice across quite explicitly: “No one can serve two masters………. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Is the desire for “Money” the only problem standing between God and us? Perhaps it is pertinent here to mention “Money” because it is the most universally accepted and standard measure of the value of all things. We are all too familiar with the aura and the accompanying trappings attached to “Money” and what it can bring to draw our attention away from Jesus. We can be so distracted when our focus should be on following Jesus who has no parallel and serving Him demands all our attention.
The rich ruler in Luke 18 while talking to Jesus claims to have kept all the commands of God. Jesus pointed out to him: “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Lk. 18:22). For this rich ruler it was the “one thing” that prevented him from responding to Jesus’ requested action prior to following Him. Jesus might not be requiring us to do likewise. Rather, He is pointing out the possibility of something He wants us to act on – the “one thing” we hold on to so dearly that prevents us from following Him.
“Money” is associated with power, authority and success. It is often very difficult for the rich to realize their powerlessness to save themselves (Lk. 18:24, 25). Similarly, those who are rich in talents or intelligence also suffer from this problem. Unless God reaches deep down into their lives and break them, they will not be prepared to follow Him. What then is this “one thing” that is keeping you away from following Jesus unreservedly? Have you allowed “Money” to unconsciously take you away from placing Jesus as your only priority? Jesus says: “God or Money?” You make the correct choice.
