Follow Me Wholeheartedly

When Yeshua heard his answer, He said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” - Luke 18:22 NLT

In Luke 18 verses 18-29, we read the story of the rich young religious leader who asked Yeshua, ‘what should I do to inherit eternal life?’ The young rich leader seemed very interested in what Yeshua had to say.

Scripture tells us, this young leader was rich, for he had great possessions. To answer his question, Yeshua told him to inherit eternal life, one must keep the commandments. The young rich ruler was quick to answer with delight and pride; he told Yeshua, that he had obeyed the commandments since he was young. He was so confident that he was doing all the right things. Then Yeshua said, there is still one thing you haven’t done.

We see this today; many people are of the opinion that doing religious acts or doing good works or by attending church or bible school is sufficient to inherit eternal life. Though this young man obeyed the commandments, there was still something that he was not willing to give up to inherit eternal life. Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. He was not committed to God wholeheartedly.

Yeshua told him ‘Sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me’. Scripture says, when he heard this, he became very sad. This young ruler was not willing to give up his possessions to follow Yeshua. He found his worth and identity in the things he owned. He wanted to inherit eternal life, yet he was not willing to give up all he had for his relationship with God.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also – Matthew 6:21 KJV. Though salvation does not come by doing things, for it is a gift from God, many are unwilling to give up what they have, their career, their riches, some relationships and yet want to inherit eternal life. We must be willing to give up all to follow Yeshua. God wants our heart more than doing good works. Nothing and no one must have first place in our lives as followers of God.