Investment Advice
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matthew 19:21 NASB
Complete – Yeshua was no financial planner. His advice would probably have caused a federal investigation and charges of deceptive practices. Who in the world would ever believe that we could be fulfilled in life by giving it all away to the poor? No one—in the world, because the world does not see the reality that is the basis of Yeshua’s insight. In this world, such behavior is insane. But this world is not the end of the story. Eternal investment requires a different strategy.
The Greek translated “complete” is teleios. The word has many possible meanings which is why some translations read “perfect.” It can mean “complete,” “conclude,” “execute,” “fulfill,” “mature,” “perfect (as in finished).” What it does not mean is “100% correct,” an idea that is communicated by the choice of “perfect.” Yeshua is not saying that as a result of giving away everything to the poor you will be totally righteous, sinless and pure. What he is saying is that this young man needed to mature and the proper step in that maturity was to realize that he only owns what he gives away.
Just think about it for a moment. Do you own your house? No, actually the bank and the government own it since they can take it from you if you fail to meet their requirements. Do you own your car? “Yes, it’s paid for.” No, it isn’t. Every year you pay the government for the right to drive it. Stop paying and they will prevent you from using it. So now who owns it? How about all those things you’ve collected over the years. All that stuff, as George Carlin would say. Well, you really don’t own this either. It can be taken from you. Fire, bankruptcy, theft—name a few more ways. Gone. Your ownership is removed. What then do you truly own? That is the brilliance of Yeshua’s remark. You own what you give away. Once you have passed it on to someone else, nothing and no one can ever take it from you again. And in Yeshua’s financial world, you have stored up your action for eternity. Now you own it forever.
It takes great maturity to see something other than the world’s view of possession. That’s what this young man lacked. He was still part of the deeded society. He still held on to possessions as if life depended on them. He did not yet realize that this fiction prevented him from finding fulfillment in the Kingdom. God owns and loans. How we treat His gifts to us determines whether His ownership ever truly passes to us. And in God’s world, ownership is a result of giving it away.
Do you suppose that the rich young ruler lives in your house today?
Topical Index: complete, teleios, charity, ownership, Matthew 19:21
Too exquisite for words.
Wonderful word! Problem is, not many believers, even in the Torah way, grasp this challenge from the Meshiach. They want bigger houses, more mortgages, more debts, falling into ‘Interest -Free’ for whatever number of months/years to pay up.
“Eternal investment”? LOL Where ‘moths’ do not exist?
“It takes great maturity to see something other than the world’s view of possession.””He still held on to possessions as if life depended on them.” And more than life, it seems, even to the extent of breaking/honouring relationships.
Pride and greed, in possessions bring many a downfall to folks.
Some believers are still paying LIFE insurance. WHO holds the keys to life and death? That brings us to Isaiah 28:15
“Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:” KJV
Mat 6:19, 20
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal….
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal…..
Shalom.
Less is more. (more or less!) ~ It is more “blessed” to give than to receive! ~ Why is this so?
The answer (to “ownership”) is “stewardship.” We are NOT owners!- we are “stewards!” We do we “have” that we have not “received?” (and the answer is?)- Nuthin’! Life IS 100% “Gift!” Life (all life) is a gift from God!! – And?? ~ The LORD gives (life) – and (?), the LORD “takes away..” – And (?) ~ Blessed!! IS the Name of the LORD!! (always and forever!)
~ A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will (himself) be refreshed! ~ (Proverbs 11.25)
Thanks, Skip, for this exceptional kingdom insight!
I sometimes wonder to what extent all the “stuff” keeps us from the real wealth of a life spent guarding, and thus enjoying, the creation and the Creator. I’m speaking as someone who grew up in Detroit and witnessed tanks rolling down my street. In our tightly sealed houses, do we hear the sounds of the orchestrated mystery and wonder of the song of creation? Do we smell the intoxicating, healing fragrances of the plant world? Do we taste the wonderful subtleties of real food? Do our eyes drink in the beauty of His artistry, or man’s? The child was right who listed: To see, to hear, to taste, to feel, to touch, to love, to laugh as the seven wonders of the world.
Many “rich” people now even view children as a liability. They are given what is not bread to eat. Your teachings about heaven have caused me to contemplate what the young man was being offered. “Heaven is a place prepared for those who are ready to enter into God’s presence and reign with Him.” Yeshua was offering him something ultimately precious and rare. What would it have been like to experience the Word experiencing His creation as a human man? They walked with Him as He taught and modeled a Way, in person, that is more to be desired than much fine gold! Who was rich!?
I love the wisdom and beauty of the promised land as a covenant birthright intended to be cared for and passed on to progeny who had been taught to value the gift and the Giver. I wonder if that rich young man may have been descended from those who had led Israel away from their true wealth. Could their choices have contributed to the padded pockets of Rome and puffed eyes of Rachel? Those who think they own the land eventually end up buried beneath it. You provide such powerful lenses to view the Truth! They often give me a headache, though, and make me nauseous. I see the mess and poverty in sharper focus, my own especially. The light can be so blinding and painful when used to darkness. I guess I do “get” why people don’t want to even try them on.
You only own what you give away! WoW!
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver
Thank You. I want to own a lot today!
“You only own what you give away.” This phrase was repeated over and over in my head while at work today. And other parts of scripture “you are not your own. You were bought at a price” and “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal”. Skip, I’ve read your blog for quite a while now. I discovered it doing some research for a ladies Bible class I was teaching. It has rocked this Southern Baptist’s world! My eyes have been opened, and paradigms challenged. I don’t think I could ever go back to seeing things the way I used to. And I have so enjoyed the writings and the responses. They are a breath of fresh air. The Word is alive to me now more than ever and so beautiful, when you look for the true meaning behind the words. I have wanted to post and/or ask questions for a while, but after reading today’s blog, and seeing the outpouring of compassion for Amanda (I have never seen anything like that in all my years in the church!), I felt compelled to post and support regularly. Thank you for letting me join you on my journey for the Truth. Shalom!
Dear Millie,
You are most welcomed! Paradigm shift is a rare thing of beauty. Usually traditions keep us captive. Your post gives me encouragement since I sometimes feel as though there is no point in kicking against the hardened wall of past teaching. I hope you continue to find nourishment here, even when we challenge very tightly held beliefs. We are all on a journey of open dialogue. No question is a bad question since questions bring us closer to the God of truth.
“Your post gives me encouragement since I sometimes feel as though there is no point in kicking against the hardened wall of past teaching.”
“O YHWH, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.”
A lot of us are like Amanda and are suffering spiritually as well as physically. You, sir, assist in more ways than you think. Churchianity has led many of us up the garden path. Personally, I thank you for the time you take to write things that make me examine my beliefs and faith.
Shalom