Jonathan Edwards was a New England pastor and theologian who desired to make his life count. As a young man, he committed to seventy “resolutions.” He confessed he could only keep these aims with God’s help. Here are three of Edward’s resolutions.

Resolution #5: Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolution #6: Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

Resolution #17: Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

The wealthy young man we have been considering over the last few days wanted eternal life but wanted to live life his way until the time came for him to die. Today’s passage records his response to Jesus’ call for a fresh start.

Mark 10:21-23
And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

The rich young man initiated the conversation. He came to Jesus with great urgency, asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  When the man explained that he had kept all the commandments, Jesus exposed his heart. “Sell all that you have,” Jesus said, “and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Now, it was time to retreat or resolve. The man wanted eternal life. Jesus called him to surrender his temporal possessions. Who would he serve—Jesus or his money? Could he trade earthly treasure for eternal treasure by trusting Jesus?

I think this is one of the saddest passages in Scripture. The young man was “disheartened” by Jesus’ invitation and “went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” He walked away from the invitation to eternal life by the only One who can give us eternity. Jesus said, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” (Don’t miss the exclamation mark.) Dependence on the other god is addictive. We want the security it gives for the future and the stuff it provides for the present.

Unlike the rich young man, Jesus never asks us to sell all our possessions. But he does warn us to not sell our souls for the world’s treasures. You cannot serve God and money. You can’t serve God and anything else. So, how about some self-reflection? How about a resolve to follow Jesus no matter the cost— to live as you wish you had lived when you come to die?

Lord Jesus, examine our hearts. Is money the god we serve? Show us if it is. Help us take the steps—as radical as they need be—to dethrone anything that occupies your rightful place in our hearts. Amen.