January 13

What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? — Matt 19:16

This young man had lived a good life. He stood high in the Church and among his neighbors. Then he came to Christ with eagerness, and Jesus, when He saw him, loved him. But his money was his idol.

One Sunday morning a minister found on his pulpit a note reading, “The prayers of this congregation are desired for a man who is growing rich.” There is no time when men really need more that there their friends should pray for their souls, than when they are growing rich. Yet if the young ruler had used his money as the Master bade him to do, it would have done good to the poor, it would have become treasure laid up in heaven for the man, and Jesus would have had another follower. The disciples of Jesus used their money so as to make it a blessing. They left all for the sake of their Master. Jesus said: “Every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.”