The idea that things can become a strong hold and a place of comfort is part of everyone’s life. As we go through life we learn to confide on things and people and trust them. And, some of those things or people help us to become who we are. Jesus met this guy who was rich. He was a very moral person; good in every aspect, kind of like many Christians today. He knew the basics of the bible (Mk10:18-23), but something was missing; he did not feel complete. But, when he was confronted with the price he needed to pay in order to be complete, he could not do it. This state of being is called calloused. Jesus warns of this state of callousness in Matthew 13:15 when he said For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them”.
Mark 10:18-23
18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 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.’”[a]20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”21 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.”22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Selling everything was a heart breaking blow of which this young man could not bare doing it was one of the things he was lacking; giving till it hurts. Most of us are willing to give as long as it does not hurt our pocket, our relationships or our material values. Jesus makes mention of this poor widow who gave till it hurt her (Mt.12:42-45) unlike the rich who gave of their riches. Jesus’ disciples were profoundly affected with this idea of giving till it hurts (Mt10:23-27). Jesus said that it was harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle then for a rich person to enter into heaven. But, having riches was not what Jesus was referring too when he mentions the rich entering into heaven, he was referring of those who trust in their riches. Our trust develops in the Lord when we choose to take up our cross and follow him. The bible tells us that we need to trust in the Lord (ps.4:5, ps.9:10), because God does not forsake those that trust in him. The fact is that when we trust in the Lord mercy is abundant in our lives (ps.32:10).