The Pursuit of Perfection

20“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:20-21)

Thoughts: The people who rationalize, "Jesus doesn't really want us to sell everything" have missed the point.  The point is, if your possessions possess you, get rid of them.  If alcohol possesses you- get rid of it.  If anything owns you besides God, stop it.
      But the point here was the Rich Young Ruler wanted to be perfect, but he didn't want to do everything it takes to be perfect.  Truth is, none of us is perfect.  All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God.
           Jesus was indeed elevating the need to give to the poor in order to have treasure in heaven.  He was also lifting up the idea that we are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. But no one is perfect.  The pursuit of perfection is not the same as the pursuit of happiness or peace.
       These days people talk about the legalism of the right- and there is.  You can't be conservative enough for some.  But there is also the legalism of the left-- you can't be liberal enough.  The lines for being part of the club (on either side) are getting more and more extreme, and grace and mercy are hard to find.  The political correct speech and litmus tests are burdensome. 

    Jesus came to fight against the legalistic, false sense of good, and rigid layer on layer of qualifications for what is considered right.  The man wanted to be perfect, but couldn't get there on his own.  That would have been okay if he had asked Jesus for grace and mercy instead of just walking away sad.  

Prayer: Lord, you alone are perfect.  May your grace and mercy abide with me.  But also help me to be gracious and merciful to others.  

Give to the Needy

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."22When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.… (Matthew 19:21,22)

Thoughts: There was a young man- some describe him as a young ruler or politician who tried to keep the Law.  He was pretty good at it- trying to do what was right.  But his possessions had possessed him and had become a demi-god to him.  He loved his comfort as much as he loved God.  Jesus knew this and challenged him.  The ironic thing is that the more you have, the more things you must take care of, and the easier it is for your comforts to own you.  God gives us gifts to hold onto gingerly.  This passage also encourages us to give to the poor.  For it is when we care for the poor that we are actually investing in a heavenly savings account.  

Prayer: Lord, give me grace to let go of things and hold onto you.