A wealthy man asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life (Luke 18:18).
After questioning the man about what he called Jesus, “Good Teacher”, (see yesterday’s devotional)…Jesus then stated the following:
(NIV) Luke 18:20 “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

  Commendable!  This man had followed these commandments since he was a youth.  (Luke 18:21) He was truly a righteous man.

  Listen to what Jesus then said:
(NASB) Luke 18:22 “When Jesus heard this, He said to him ‘One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’”

  What did this man, this man of position and wealth need to do?  He needed to yield, to submit to following Jesus.
  Did Jesus really know what He was asking this man to do?  Give up his vast wealth?  Not only give it up, but give it away? 
  What point was Jesus making?  I believe that Jesus was saying to lean your full weight on God, submit yourself to God.  Trust God for the paths He wants you to walk.

(Amplified Bible) Proverbs 3:5-6 “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight  and plain your paths.”

  My friend that is what God wants you and me to do.  Do we?  I cannot answer for you but I know that I need to consciously trust Him, to walk the paths He directs me to each day.  Every day, this day, do you trust Him for what He is asking you to do?

  When we trust Him for our salvation we are yielding to God’s way of inheriting eternal life.  There is no other way, only God’s way.
  When we trust Him with our money we can also trust Him to lead us on those paths that are best for us.

  Jesus told that man, that wealthy man, what he needed to do to “inherit eternal life”.  To give away his wealth and to “come, follow Me.”
  Isn’t that what our lives really should be?  To give Jesus, not people, all that we have here on earth and to simply follow Him.  (Is this too simplistic?  Perhaps so, but what a way to live, simply and without encumbrances!)

  Does this mean you give away all your money?  No, but to give up its power over you.