GOOD TEACHER

"One thing thou lackest:

go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, 

and give to the poor,
    and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:

  and come,

take up the cross,

and follow me.

And he was sad at that saying, 

and went away

grieved: for he had

great possessions."

— St. Mark 10:21-22 KJV

Good Teacher, What Must I Do? 

Poem © 2012  Suzanne Davis Harden

 “Good Teacher,” said the young man,

“What must I do to be saved?”

And Jesus looked in His eyes

He loved the young man He’d made.

And Jesus looked in His eyes,

Though rich, the man was a slave;

Now seeking the things of God;

Jesus loved the man He had made.

And Jesus looked in His eyes

“And so you seek to be saved…”

Keep the commandments of God—

All of the ones He gave…”

The young man stood up tall

And He looked at the Lord with pride,

“I’ve kept them all from my youth,

Yes, since I was a little child.”

And Jesus peered in His eyes,

Looked deep in His very soul,

“One thing, My son, you lack,

And then you’ll be made whole.”

The man looked up at Jesus,

His eyes a puzzled stare,

“Give all you have to the poor, My son,

Then follow Me everywhere.”

Trade your earthly riches

For those you cannot see…

Let go of all you have, My son,

And come and follow Me.

My son, come follow Me,

And give to Me your life,

And I will meet your every need;

I’ll never leave your side.

Don’t trust in what you see,

Don’t trust in what you have;

Trust in One who gives good things

To those with faith to ask.

 

 My love will carry you

Down every path you take;

I’ll carry you to heaven,

Your heart I won’t forsake.”

The young man looked at Jesus,

Then sadly walked away.

He would not trade His riches

For the Savior’s path of faith.

He would not trade His riches

For the heart of Jesus’ love,

And He walked away from Jesus

Choosing wealth over God above.

"He went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions."

 Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  
~Matthew 6:19-21

Do Not Love This World

 "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." 

~1 John 2:15-17

Heavenly Father, thank you for all of the wonderful things you give us to enjoy every day! You love to give good gifts to Your children and take great delight in blessing us. But when our possessions become more important to us than You or other people, help us to see that we have become slaves to them. 

Lord, help us not to lay up treasures for ourselves on this earth, but to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. For where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also.

Oh Lord, may You be our true heart's treasure. May we love You more than all things. In Jesus' name. Amen.

                                       Illustrations
"Christ and the Rich Young Ruler"~ Painting by German Painter Heinrich Hofman (1824-1911)
"For He Had Great Possessions" Painting of Rich Young Ruler by George Frederick Watts (British Portrait Painter 1817-1904)
"Good Teacher, What Must I Do?" Poem © 2012 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Unto The Least Of These