August 5, 2026

What Has You?

In Mark 10:17–22, this is what we read,

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

This is an interesting passage, isn’t it?! I think verse 22 could probably be read as “great possessions had him,” and we wouldn’t do too much damage to the text. Possessions possessed him, and he went away from his conversation with Jesus sorrowful.

When Jesus met this guy, He was able to cut right to the heart issue, what controlled his life. Verse 21 could be paraphrased, “Okay, you really want it? Here’s your roadblock, baby.” It was the guy’s attitude toward his stuff.

This man loved possessions, wealth, and the things of this life more than he loved Jesus.

Where are you today, my friend? Have you allowed our world to con you into believing that you should base your life on the stuff you accumulate? Or do you love God the most?

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