The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 10:17-21, “As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him,
and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’
18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.
19 “You know the commandments, ‘DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT
STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, Do not defraud, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.'”
20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”
21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you
possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much
property.
23 And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”

He was always on time for class. He was always prepared. He was always well-studied. His papers were always well-written and on time for submission to the teacher. But there was one thing missing; and when the class was concluded, and the semester grades were made public, the well-studied, well-prepared, always-on-time student received a much lower-than-expected grade. Something was missing.

It was much like the scenario in the life of the young man who approached Jesus. He was aware
of Jesus’ wisdom. Jesus was just the right person to answer his question –a question that had undoubtedly
disturbed him for a considerable time.

Here is a morally upright young man, pondering one of life’s most perplexing questions; coming to just the
Right Person for the answer; possessing the right attitude; receiving the right answer; yet lacking the one thing he had overlooked.

His question was: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Already aware that the young man had kept them, Jesus responded, citing the 10 Commandments. Still, one thing was missing: his trust resided in his
possessions! “…go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me,” Jesus replied.

Were we wealthy like the young man in the Scriptures, how would we respond? We may not be millionaires, but how are we handling what we do have? Do we think more of our possessions than we do of what they could do if we used them for the LORD’s glory? Is there anything that you possess that means more to you
than something you need to do for Him? If there is, then do it! Don’t go away “saddened” like this young man. There is a Day of Accounting coming. Don’t be caught unprepared!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom