The Best Things In Life

"Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, 'You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.' At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. " - Mark 10:21-22

I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that I can sympathize with the man Jesus instructs. After all, I have yet to sell all my things and give it to the poor. But I think, while Jesus instructs this man to sell everything, he did so because of what these possessions meant to the man:

Everything.

For someone who sees "things" as a mark of accomplishment - a way to openly demonstrate your success, your capability in life, then being asked to get rid of it all would seem like the hardest task, the most impossible chore. But maybe, as the man pondered if he can get rid of it, how he'll ultimately do it, and what he absolutely can't part with - he'll see the hidden meaning in Jesus's request.

That they're just "things". "Things" that have no meaning when it's all over. "Things" that may provide satisfaction now, but should not be the sole focus in life. That focusing too much on "things" may start to make those things more important than God. And once that happens, it's very hard to turn away and let go of those "things" for something much more real - and something that's everlasting.

It's tough - and it's something we need to be constantly aware of. That our primary focus in life isn't on getting more "things", but understanding God and loving each other.