8.9.23 - Matthew 19:22
What are the barriers you experience to fully embracing and embodying what you believe and value? What's one you might hold a little more loosely today?
“When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.”
It is easy for us in a very materialistic, consumer society to sympathize with the young man’s struggle to sell his many possessions and give the proceeds to the poor.
While material possessions do hold a power over our souls, there’s another interesting consideration. As a wealthy and pious man, he likely would’ve been expected to serve as a benefactor to those in need, which helped people and also earned him status and good reputation.
To part with his possessions and wealth would place him among the status of people who may at times need help and the generosity of others.
Perhaps just as much as his possessions, it was the man’s ego–his pride and self-image–that impeded his ability to receive treasure in Heaven.
What are the dimensions of your ego that inhibit the life abundant Jesus extends to us as we follow his Way?
--Evan Amo