Engaging the Treasures and Possessions

Engaging Treasures and Possessions

Luke 18: 18-32

V. 22. “There is  still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven...”

The inherent connection between kingdom of God and the disposition to wealth is discussed here. For the Pharisees of Jesus’ time salvation was a taken for granted inheritance of the children of Abraham. But for Jesus it is something to be acquired by making ones relationships right. Right relationship impinged on right disposition to wealth. St Luke records; “where your treasure is there your heart will be also” (Lk. 12:34). In Lk 18:18 following, the ruler’s treasure is said to be his possessions, rather than in his desire to serve God and God’s poor. “Treasure” and “possessions” according to this biblical text are different connotations. ‘Treasure’ is hearts devotion and ‘possession’ is the material circumstances that is expected to sustain life and moreover bring comfort to life. The overemphasis on comfort and craving for luxuries tend to misjudge the ‘possessions’ as our ‘treasures.’ The probability of selling and giving (the thought of dispossession itself will lead him to a knowledge of heavenly treasures that is worthy and lasting) his possessions to the poor guarantees the ruler “treasure in Heaven” (v.22).  

We cannot serve God and simultaneously pursue wealth (Lk. 16:13). For the rich (those who find their treasure in possessions) it is difficult to experience God’s sovereignty, because their wealth turns them away from the poor and their dependence on God. Wealth can become a pursuit that displaces the priority of serving God. And in this sense wealth hinders the entry of the ruler into God’s kingdom. The hyperbole of the ‘camel entering through the eye of the needle’ highlights the difficulty involved. Jesus distracts the ruler from his distractions of having treasure in possessions by hinting that there is something more to life than mere possessions.  St. Matthew was a disciple who left the tax booth to find his treasure in following Jesus (Mk. 13,14). Are we able to feel Jesus distracting our distractions by pointing our devotions to that eternal destiny of life that has intrinsic connections to the ‘making right of relationships’ with the poor in this world?

Prayer

Lord of our Life, help us to find our treasure in serving and following You. Amen