The Standard March 21, 2026
In the nineteenth chapter of Matthew, we find the Pharisees attempting to trap Jesus with a question about divorce. Jesus responds by citing the Genesis account of God creating male and female human beings, followed by the explanation of marriage, and a legitimate reason for a husband to divorce a wife. While it currently is the case that in orthodox or conservative Christian circles in the United States such biblical topics are discussed frequently, there is another issue in this chapter which is not as popular for conversation.
Jesus is approached with a question. “Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’ ‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.’ ‘Which ones?’ he inquired. Jesus replied, ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’ Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 19:16-23
In Mark’s account of this conversation, he notes that Jesus looked at the rich man and loved him. Jesus knew the man’s heart and understood that his devotion to wealth was the primary barrier between him and God. His first love was not well-placed. For this reason, Jesus told him that by selling everything he would have treasure in heaven and could follow without distraction.
Jesus interacted with other wealthy folks whom he did not direct to sell everything. That was specific to this rich man. We each have various loves which can compete for our attention and challenge our focus. In our culture of hyperconsumerism, the warning about the love of money should be at the forefront of the mind of the Christian and reiterated often in the church. Indeed, the desire for riches is a snare. Our children, grandchildren, and neighbors should detect in our lives much more worthy pursuits.
“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, person of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:9-11
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