Mark 10:17-22

¹⁷ While he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what do I have to do so I will inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ Jesus said to him, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good other than the one God. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder; Do not commit adultery; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Do not defraud; Honour your father and mother.'”[1] ²⁰ He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since I was young.” ²¹ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You are missing one; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in the sky; then come, follow me.” ²² When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

missing one

Any pastor would have salivated at the chance of inviting this young man into his church. He was the profile of the perfect parishioner. He had so much to contribute as a minister, and he had the means to sponsor his ministry and that of others. He also appears to have dealt with any nasty habits or unconfessed sins that would detract him from ministry. Yes, looking at his list, anyone would have seen him as a qualified candidate.

But Jesus looked down at his list and he saw one qualification that was missing. He had not dealt with the one strength that would have kept him from serving Christ as his LORD. Jesus challenged him to give up control of that one area in which he prided himself – his wealth.

Wealth is not bad, or wrong. But for many, it is keeping them from serving Christ. Wealth has to be managed, and ministry requires servants, not managers.

Am I safe from this problem since I have little money? Not necessarily. I may be missing one thing too. There may be another strength I have that I am holding back, refusing to relinquish control over. Even if I have nothing to sell, there may be something that he wants me to surrender.

LORD, give us the courage to surrender the one thing we hold on to – that is keeping us from serving you and others.

[1] Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20.