What are you willing to give up to follow Jesus?

By Todd Barrier  

Matthew 19 tells the story of a rich young man. This young man comes to Jesus and asks Him what to do to be able to go to Heaven.  

Jesus first tells the man to keep the commandments, which the young man says he has always done. He then asks Jesus whether there is anything he still lacks.  

In Matthew 19:21-22, “Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” 

This young man had lots of “stuff” but wasn’t willing to give any of it up to have a life with Jesus. It wasn’t the stuff that was the problem; it was that he had made his possessions his idols.  

The Bible says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10). It has caused many to stray from the faith. The Bible also teaches that we can’t serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Unfortunately, the young man and many others have chosen to serve the masters of this world instead of serving Jesus. 

Jesus asks us to give some things up, but He knows it’s worth it for us to spend eternity with Him. What are you willing to give up to follow Jesus?