Trading Our Lack for His Abundance
What do I lack? (Matthew 19:20)
Mt. 19:16-26; Mt. 6:20, 23; Ps. 52:7; Lk. 12:31-34; Phil 4:19; I Tim. 6:17
What Is God Saying?
The rich young ruler came to Jesus with this question. He had everything going for him. He led a respectable life. He kept the commandments. He was well-liked. Mark indicates that ‘Jesus looked on him and immediately loved him.’ Character-wise he had more than a passing grade. He was exceptional and he was consistently good. Through wise handling of funds or inheritance, he had become rich. He was comfortable with himself and with his possessions. He had no lack of material or moral stability, but Jesus saw through the facade of his proud claims. He found the crack in his armor. He who seemed to lack nothing had, in fact, one serious lack. He had lots of possessions, or (more accurately) his possessions had him. His treasures on earth blinded him to the treasures of Heaven and the true treasures to be found in this life. His attachment to things kept him from truly following Jesus.
In Jerusalem next to the larger city gate, there is a small gate for pedestrians called The Eye of the Needle. Like a fully loaded camel trying to get through a gate intended for those on foot, it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus touched a nerve. The young man was unable to set the treasures of Heaven above the trinkets of earth.
How Does This Apply To Us?
That was his lack. What is ours? Our hearts are grieved by the fact that most people on earth are lacking food and things we call necessities. What is our lack? What are we holding onto as the young ruler held on to his possessions? All of us must answer these questions for ourselves.
Being open toward the Spirit of God through prayer and the reading of the Word we can find the lack. As Jesus got through the peripherals of pride and pretence to the real lack of the rich young ruler, so He can touch us. Let us not go away with sorrow, unwilling to deal with the lack. Let Him help us find what is lacking. Then let Him help us walk with Him on a new road of service and blessing.
Pray With Me
Father, how can I, with abundant material possessions ever ask, ‘What do I still lack?’ For me to complain about any lack seems out of place. Yet there is a lack. It is not because of You. It is my responsibility. It rises from my own heart. The fullness is Yours. The lack is mine.
Gracious God, show me what I still lack. Give of all that is good and perfect, supply what is lacking. For the weeds of revenge and discontent, give the flowers of forgiveness, peace, and the beauty of holiness; for a restless, covetous spirit, give a clear vision of the riches that are found only in You.
In His name through whom the Father has promised to supply all our needs. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Our Lord can remedy lack in our lives if we are willing to bring everything to Him in prayer. ‘My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory’ (Phil 4:19).
