Great Possessions

Dan McKibben
03/17/07 - Articles

I was at the meeting the other day, and Russell Dunaway was preaching on the rich young ruler from Mark 10. As he was discussing the passage, there was something said that got me thinking about vs.22. "And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions." This has happen before when someone will be preaching, or listening to the New Testament on tape, or reading the scriptures, some thought, word or phrase jumps out at you. The text says that the young ruler had "Great Possessions." My mind began to wonder what kind of "Great Possessions" did he have in the first century. He certainly would not have had, a car, a truck, a computer, a plasma TV, or any other such modern day invention. But in the first century he could have had a great business that was bringing in a great cash flow. He could have had a nice sail boat there on the sea of Galilee, to get away for a few days of relaxation. He could have had a nice vacation home up on one of the mountains to get away from the summer heat. He no doubt had a nice home to live in. Hag.1:4, says, "Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" Maybe he had a beautiful horse to ride about. But whatever the "Great Possessions" he had, he love them more than the treasures of heaven that Jesus offered him. "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." Mark 10:21. How sad that he made such a poor choice. But we so often fall into the same trap, we get caught up in the here and now. Jesus has not commanded us specifically go and sell all our possessions, but if our attitude is right, we would certainly do so. We need to hold all material things with an open hand, that they can be released anytime they stand in the way of serving God. Heaven treasures are for those whose who have heart that is rich in faith, Luke 12:21.