JESUS ON JUDGMENT

Living with the end in view involves
Trusting Christ More

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.” (Matt. 19:21)

How can you get treasure in heaven? Can you forfeit any treasure? Are there principles to follow to obtain this treasure, or is it sure to all who merely believed on Christ at some point in their past?

In this verse we find treasure given to the one who sells all that he has and gives to the poor. Is this the only way to be rich in heaven? No. The context will explain. A rich man asked Jesus how he may obtain eternal life. Jesus’ words to His disciples after the rich man left sorrowful marked His true teaching: “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” (19:23–24).

The wealthy often have a difficult time with the kingdom because in time of need they reflexively look to their wealth rather than to God. It is easier to check one’s large bank account than to trust in God for His provision. Before the rich man could grasp eternal life, he had to let go of something.
The rich man needed to remove a barrier that restricted life. It was a misplaced trust.

Some may wonder about the passage in 1 Peter 1:3–4, which tells of God who “has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” Doesn’t it indicate that all who have trusted Christ some time in the past will receive treasure in heaven?

Again, we must study the context. Peter’s readers were suffering severe persecution and through it were trusting Christ alone. They were not looking to gold to save themselves. “That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1:7–8). They looked not to present deliverance, but beyond death to the inheritance in heaven to come.

We will have the treasure in heaven to the extent we trust the Christ seated in heaven. Christ is our treasure!

Living with the end in view means looking to Christ for our aid.

Steps of faith:
Stop fretting about money, and give the problems to the Lord.
Learn to find and trust God’s promises.

--Steve Husting