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.”
Matthew 19:21 NIV
In Matthew chapter 19, a man approached Jesus with a profound question: ‘What good deed must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus responded by listing several commandments, instructing the man to keep them. This encounter offers deep insight into the true cost of discipleship today. It encourages us to reflect on what genuine surrender means.
The man claimed to have kept all these commandments since his youth. However, Jesus then told him something more challenging. He said, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow Me.’ Meanwhile, verse 22 records that the young man went away sad. He had great wealth, indeed.
Initially, Jesus’ instruction to sell everything prompted deep reflection. This raised the question: must all wealthy individuals relinquish their possessions to follow Jesus? I realised this is not necessarily the direct interpretation for everyone. Instead, Jesus asks for something more profound from us. This particular command points to a broader perspective, especially considering other Scriptures.
Following Jesus often demands everything from our lives. Therefore, the crucial question becomes our willingness to surrender everything for God’s Kingdom. Jesus clearly illustrated this Kingdom truth. For example, He told a parable about a man who found a valuable treasure in a field (Matthew 13:44-46). The man sold all he had to purchase it. The rich young ruler, much like the seeker in that parable, found what he was looking for in eternal life. Yet, he was unwilling to pay the price. His great wealth ultimately became a barrier, preventing his complete surrender.
Following Jesus does not necessarily mean one cannot possess money or wealth. Instead, it profoundly means that nothing can be held so dear that we are unwilling to relinquish it for the sake of the Cross. Furthermore, nothing must be so important to us that we cannot surrender it to Christ. Anything we are unwilling to let go of for the sake of the Cross has the potential to draw us away from Him. Such attachments can completely hinder us from fulfilling God’s purpose and plans for our lives, truly showing the cost of discipleship today.
Living It Out
Let us ask ourselves honestly: is anything preventing us from fully following Christ? Whether it is career, relationships, or possessions, we must surrender all to Him. Ultimately, this allows us to embrace God’s full purpose for our lives.