warm-up

If money is not an issue, what is the first thing you will buy? Why?

What is the most expensive thing you have bought? How long did you save up for it?

What is one memorable gift that you gave to someone? What made this gift memorable?

word

Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” MATTHEW 19:21

(Read also MATTHEW 19:16–24.)

While Jesus and the disciples were traveling from Galilee to Judea, a rich young man approached them, asking what he needed to do to have eternal life. Jesus said, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” They were hard words for the young man to accept, because he owned many things. From his story, we learn about three choices we have to make regarding material possessions.

1
Hold Tight or Give Away

21Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. MATTHEW 19:21,22

The rich young man could not let go of his great possessions when Jesus asked him to. Instead, he went away sorrowful, for he had become attached to his material wealth. While accumulating wealth and enjoying the fruit of our labor is not evil, we should not let anything we own be the center of our worship. We are called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, allowing ourselves to be a channel of God's blessing to others. Was there a time that you chose material possessions over the command of God?

2
Earthly Treasure or Heavenly Treasure

19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” MATTHEW 6:19–21

The rich young man wanted to know how he could inherit eternal life. He knew about the commandments and followed them, so Jesus asked him to give away to the poor the great possessions that he had acquired for himself here on earth. Our relationship with God casts a different light on how we regard material possessions. Earthly treasures are temporary and may be destroyed or taken away by others; but heavenly treasure lasts forever. How can we store up treasure in heaven?

3
Self or God

25“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” MATTHEW 16:25,26

The rich young man chose, in the end, not to follow Jesus, because it was difficult for him to give up his earthly possessions. But as Jesus said, there is no use gaining the world if you give up your soul for it. Jesus said that if your life is given up for His sake, you will surely ﬁnd it again (Matthew 16:24–26). In faith, we believe that our reward is eternal. Tell of a time you chose God over yourself. What happened?

application

Do you have a relationship with God where you devote yourself to Him and His purpose for your life? If not, would you want to have one today?

Do you find it hard to extend generosity to other people?What do you think are the things that hinder you from being generous to others?

In your own way, how can you be a channel of God’s blessing to other people? Is there a specific person that God is telling you to bless this week?

prayer

Thank God for the blessings that you have received. Thank Him for blessing you abundantly to be a blessing to others.

Ask God to reveal to you areas that you are withholding from His Lordship. Pray that as He shows you these areas, He will give you the grace to let go and choose your relationship with Him every day.

Pray that God will use you as a channel of His blessing to your family and friends this week. Pray that as you do so, more and more people will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus.

© 2018 by VICTORY®
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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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