Anglican Devotional 2 July 2023 – Jesus Christ, Not Your Wealth

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2 July 2023 – Jesus Christ, Not Your Wealth

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TOPIC: Jesus Christ, Not Your Wealth

READ: MATTHEW 19:16-26 (NKJV)

Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one [is] good but One, [that is,] God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, ” ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’

‘Honor your father and [your] mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “

The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

“And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

When His disciples heard [it,] they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

But Jesus looked at [them] and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

THE MESSAGE:

Our text today is a discussion between Jesus and a young ruler who desired to be taught by Him. He asked, “What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life” (verse 16b). This question reveals the thought of his heart that:

(1) He had a firm belief in eternal life

(2) He had the mind to secure it for himself

(3) He was of the opinion that some good things must be done to attain eternal life.

Initially, Jesus asked whether he knew and kept the law. His response was “All these I have kept from my youth, what do I still lack?” (verse 20). Then Jesus told him to:

(1) Sell what he had

(2) Give to the poor, and

(3) Come and follow Him.

Unfortunately for the young rich man, he went away sorrowful because he had great possessions (verses 21&22).

Beloved, your joy should derive from following the Master Jesus Christ and doing His biddings. As seen in the life of the young rich man, some Christians express true joy only when things are rosy. Some won’t go to Church because of no sufficient offerings. Your desire as a Christian should be to follow Christ wholeheartedly and keep His words. Nothing should be considered too much to lose in order to win Christ (Philippians 3:8). Love of money and other material things has made some Christians compromise their faith. You must endeavour to serve the Lord joyfully in any situation you find yourself and part of that service is to take care of the less privileged. Learn to give to the poor. It is a sure way of having treasure in heaven (verse 21;Acts 20:35).

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to love You above material possessions. Give me grace to touch someone’s life today by my act of giving. Amen.

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) provides daily scriptural readings and reflections to help individuals deepen their relationship with God. This edition for 1 July 2023 focuses on the theme of forgiveness and explores how we can receive and extend forgiveness to others as Christ did for us. Join us in this enriching journey of faith and discover the power of forgiveness in your life.