What Lack I Yet?

(Mat 19:16-26) And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? -17. And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. -18. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, -19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. -20. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? -21. Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. -22. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. -23. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. -24. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. -25. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? -26. But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Many people in our time are much like the young man in our text. They are living fairly good, moral lives. The are not murderers. They do not commit adultery. They do not steal. They are truthful. They honor their parents. They have some love for their neighbors. You may be one of those people today and my question to you is - Do you have eternal life? Or are you like this young man? He lived a very strict life. He sounds like the kind of person that every community would like to have. He would fit into any family and most congregations without making any changes to his behavior. And yet he lacked something. He knew that he lacked something. He was not satisfied with his feelings and so he came to Jesus for an answer.

Once again we congratulate this young man. He knew that he was missing something out of his life and he came to Jesus for an answer. He came to the right person. He did not seek the answer in a bottle, some drug, or some fleshly pleasure. He came to the master. That is the place to go if you want answers to your needs. Jesus, our Lord, knows your need and He will give you straight counsel.

Well he got his answer - now what will he do? He went away sorrowful because of his riches. It becomes evident that his love for himself and his stuff were taking a higher priority in his life than was his love for God and his neighbor. As a result his stuff was robbing him of peace. He was missing out on life and he knew it. I wonder what he finally ended up doing. Maybe he did as many do today and tried to find peace thru entertainment or activity or drugs or sex. If he tried to find peace and happiness in these things, he failed as does every one that tries to find real happiness in any thing but God Himself.

Is it a big thing to give to others? (Deu 15:7-15) If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: -8. But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. -9. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. -10. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. -11. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. -12. And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. -13. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: -14. Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. -15. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.

This is the instructions of God to us on how to treat the poor and needy in our land. We are instructed to remember that we have been blessed by God. He is the one that has given us the abundance of wealth that we have and we need to remember that. The poor shall never cease out of the land. Do you know why? They are here for your benefit so that you can share with them the abundance of things that God has given you. (Luke 11:41) But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. This law of God has never changed. Jesus still expects you to give alms to the poor and needy.

Where is your heart? (Mat 6:19-21) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: -20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: -21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Our culture is so absorbed in making money that it is difficult for our people to grasp the real meaning of life. People think that more money will bring them the happiness and peace that they need and want. But the evidence is overwhelmingly against such and idea for no one has ever found the happiness and peace that his soul cries for in worldly wealth. If you want to enjoy life, then press your way into the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the holy ghost.

Godliness Is Profitable: (Deu 4:40) Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever. God's promise to us that keep his laws is that we will be profited. We will enjoy the good life. (Eccl 8:12-13) Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: -13. But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

It shall be well with them that fear God. Them that live according to His law. Them that place His instructions in their hearts. They shall learn to live a godly life enjoying every thing that God has given them.

(Isa 3:10-11) Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. -11. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

(Isa 65:17-25) For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. -18. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. -19. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. -20. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. -21. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. -22. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. -23. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. -24. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. -25. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

These things that Isaiah is telling us about are a present reality to the people of God. They are not some far out things reserved for eternity but God's people are rejoicing and are a joy today for they keep the law of God from their heart.

(1 Tim 4:8) For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Of the life that now is. Yes you can enjoy the goodness of God now. You can have a heaven to go to heaven in. If you want it, come to Jesus and ask Him for it.

(1 Tim 6:3-12) If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; -4. He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, -5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. -6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. -7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. -8. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. -9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. -10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. -11. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. -12. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

(Titus 3:8-9) This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. -9. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

What lack I yet? What does it take to obtain eternal life? What do you have to do? You have the Word of God; you have the greatest abundance of material wealth of any nation ever to this time; Are you satisfied? Do you feel full? Are you happy? Are you living close to God? Godliness is profitable. It is well with them that fear the Lord. They shall long enjoy the work of their hands. You have a wonderful opportunity today to come to Jesus and have the lack of your life satisfied. What will your choice be? We pray that you will choose to listen to the Lord and enjoy the happy, peaceful life of a Christian.

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What Lack I Yet?