Could you sell everything for Heaven?
In Matthew 19:16-30, we are introduced to a rich young man who approaches Jesus with a straightforward yet profound question: “What good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus responds by pointing him to the commandments, but the young man presses further, asking what he still lacks. Jesus’ reply shakes the very foundations of material wealth and attachment: “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). The young man walks away, sorrowful, for he had great wealth.
This passage compels us to reflect on our own relationship with worldly possessions. What if Jesus asked us to sell everything for Heaven? Would we be willing?
The Heart Behind the Possession
At the core of Jesus’ response is not just a call to charity but a deep challenge to the human heart. Possessions are not inherently evil, but the love of them—the attachment, the dependency on wealth as our source of identity and security—can easily overshadow our relationship with God. Jesus told the young man to sell everything for Heaven not because wealth is wrong but because it stood in the way of a full commitment to God.
This teaching is more relevant today than ever. In our material-driven culture, where success is often measured by accumulation, we must ask ourselves: Are my possessions becoming a barrier to my faith? Is the wealth I hold on to—whether financial, emotional, or social—stopping me from truly following Christ?
How Much Do We Truly Rely on God?
Jesus’ challenge to the rich young man highlights an uncomfortable truth: we often place our security in what we can see, touch, and control—our possessions. We rely on wealth to give us comfort and assurance in this life. But Jesus flips this reliance, reminding us that we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).
Would you be able to sell everything for Heaven right now if it meant eternal life with Christ? It’s easy to read this story as a lesson for someone else, but it calls each of us to a personal reflection. We must examine where we place our trust.
Treasures in Heaven vs. Treasures on Earth
We often pursue earthly treasures, believing they will fulfill us. Yet, as Jesus teaches, treasures on earth are temporary, subject to decay and theft (Matthew 6:19). The eternal treasure that Jesus promises, however, cannot be taken away. It’s eternal life with God—something far more valuable than anything we can amass here on earth.
When Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24), He isn’t condemning wealth but challenging our attachment to it. The disciples, shocked by this statement, ask, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus reassures them that “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). The promise of Heaven isn’t about being poor or wealthy; it’s about where your heart is.
Would You Really Sell Everything?
Let’s put ourselves in the rich young man’s shoes. What if Jesus asked you today to sell everything for Heaven—your house, your car, your bank account? Would you trust Him enough to do it? Would you believe that He could provide all you need?
This doesn’t necessarily mean that Jesus is asking all of us to sell our possessions literally, but He is asking us to loosen our grip on them. He calls us to examine whether we have placed our trust in things that perish rather than in the eternal God.
Conclusion: A Call to Radical Trust
As we reflect on Matthew 19:16-30, let’s be honest with ourselves. Are there possessions or comforts we cling to more tightly than we do to Jesus? If given the choice, would we be willing to sell everything for Heaven?
This passage invites us to a deeper relationship with Christ, one that requires us to trust Him with our entire being, including our possessions. Eternal life is worth more than anything we could ever hold on to in this life.
Spread the Gospel, lives depend on it!
I pray, MARANATHA! (Come quickly, Lord Jesus!)
Your brother in Christ, Duane
Related posts to study further:
Finding strength in church community
The dangers of wealth
Where is hope?
