I am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus’ confrontation with the Rich Young Ruler bothers most of us (Matthew 19:16-22). The main issue is the final command of Jesus to this young man, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have (huparchonta) and give to the poor, and you will have (echo) treasure in heaven: and come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21). Our main concern is “amount!” Is Jesus requiring him to give everything away? Jesus struck a blow at the very heart of the young man’s spiritual condition. It was an ownership problem. He was searching for life. Materialism owned him and he was lifeless. Jesus called for the title of his life to be transferred to Him. Life would be found in Jesus.
Notice in Jesus’ statement, the Greek word regarding material possessions is different than spiritual treasures. You cannot have materialism like you have Jesus. Material things possess you; you do not possess them. Jesus gives Himself to us for our betterment. When He has us, we have Him. In this relationship life comes together in unexplainable richness. It is an ownership issue. In giving the ownership of our lives to Him, we receive all He is. The Rich Young Ruler gave the ownership of his life to materialism; he was still searching for life. We cannot possess Jesus without Him possessing us. Oh, I want to be His. I am a Jesus pusher!!!