DATE POSTED: Monday, August 21, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Living Bible (TLB) IS FOUND IN Luke 18:18-23

Once a Jewish religious leader asked him this question: “Good sir, what shall I do to get to heaven?”
“Do you realize what you are saying when you call me ‘good’?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good, and no one else. “But as to your question, you know what the Ten Commandments say—don’t commit adultery, don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t lie, honor your parents, and so on.”
The man replied, “I’ve obeyed every one of these laws since I was a small child.”
“There is still one thing you lack,” Jesus said. “Sell all you have and give the money to the poor—it will become treasure for you in heaven—and come, follow me.”
But when the man heard this he went sadly away, for he was very rich.

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: I believe that some may sit and gloat over the idea that we have our house in order and we could accept the fact that Jesus may return at any moment. But much like the case of the rich young ruler, I wonder what God might draw to our attention as that ‘one more thing’ or ‘just one thing lacking’. Let me encourage you to get totally honest with yourself as you examine your life against the Word of God in our study these verses today.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: As a teenager, I pressured my mom to let me return to school one day early from lunch, because I knew there would be lots of guys my age waiting to play games right up to the time for the afternoon school bell. Reluctantly mom let me go early, but not too long into our fun time racing after each other, I fell and cut my arm on a piece of glass. I knew I would never hear the end of it if I went home to be doctored, so I went to a nearby aunt. When I returned home that afternoon after school, I walked in the house with my arm swinging behind me, hoping that mom wouldn’t notice the large bandage around my arm! Although almost comical, I was faced with a lot of ridicule from a loving and caring mother! Some of you might hold ‘secrets’ from your spouse, while others may hold secrets from your teacher and/or pastor, or the tax man. Why some may even think that they are hiding things from God. But this fits the same category as my scenario when I thought I was hiding my bandaged arm from my mother! Often, we sit on the edge of our seat when judgment is occurring about our wrongdoings, because way too often we did a lot worse than what others see. But guess what? The Bible reveals that God even knows our thoughts, so not only is He aware of our wrongdoings, but He also knows about what we thought about doing or saying. I believe that one of the most embarrassing things that could occur, is for us to lay all our ‘cards’ on the table, only to be corrected about the ones we thought we would hold back on. Jesus knew how stingy the ruler was with his finances, so He was quick to remind the young man about getting his whole house in order, and not just obeying the commandments that were easy to follow, or easy for others to recognize in his actions. Perhaps Jesus is drawing your attention to an area of your life in which you are lacking. Deep inside you know what that is, because Jesus is pricking your conscience. I would recommend that, like the rich young ruler, start with examining your giving. God will hold us accountable for the times we withhold our gifts because we are upset with the preacher, or because no one came to visit us, or because of the way the church is wasting money, or because 1/10th of our CD interest, sale of assets, or estate gift, would amount to way more than the $10 we have always placed in the offering plate. Dear friends, when we consider giving back to God for His kingdom work and for His ultimate glory, is there anything too good, or any amount too great, to not give to His local church? Jesus told the young man much like I believe He is telling you and I today: Get your priorities in order with your finances and in following God obediently – then come and be my follower and a true representative of mine. I know you are not perfect, but are you on track for following the Master today? What is that ‘one more thing’ that you lack?

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: Praise God for His continued love for us, even through our stubbornness. Praise God for His patience with us, even when our hearts are undetermined about following His commands. May we determine in our hearts to be obedient in every way to our Master and Lord.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord Jesus, You are most loving and gracious to us. Yet we try to convince ourselves that we can withhold in our finances, and in the details of our wickedness and lack of commitment to Your will and way. I am convinced that nothing is hidden from your eyes and ears, so I respectfully ask that You please continue to work in me so that I might become more and more like You every day. You bless us with the good health and opportunity to enjoy good jobs with good income, yet we hang on to our income like we deserve it plus a whole lot more. Forgive us Lord for our greed and selfishness. Lord may our lives be like an open book before You and may we be so obedient that there will be nothing lacking in what else we must do to be obedient. To be Your representatives and Your ambassadors here on earth, we must look, give, sound and love just like You. Please grant this to us, all for Your ultimate glory! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!