WHAT GOOD THING SHALL I DO?

Bob Mills
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Over the ages, mankind has associated the gaining of eternal life with the doing of good deeds. Rather than make changes in relationship with God and life style, the rich in this world’s goods often thinks in terms of money and opens a tax exempt foundation in their own name, or makes a tax exempt large donation to a college, charitable, or religious organization. Like the rich young man, who found to his sorrow that he could not buy eternal life. Admission, there, is not measured in material wealth, and all must be left behind at death.

The great wealth, in the graves of the rulers of past empires, if they have not been looted many years ago, bears witness that all was left behind. The typical burial of a deceased person today costs thousands, but accomplishes the very same result as the wrapping in a blanket and interment of a impoverished Zulu laborer.

This young man probably thought that he could make a large donation to this group of itinerant evangelists and they would promise him eternal life in heaven. After all they talked about life after death, and heaven, and they certainly had no money. Why not?

Matthew 19:16-22 (King James Version)

Let’s read the account from Matthew.
16. behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17. And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
youth up: what lack I yet?
21. Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and giv 20. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my e to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Jesus went right to the root of the matter. “Why callest thou me good?” After all, eternal life is not awarded for keeping the law, or even being honest with our neighbors. Yes, doing these things is a result of Christ in the lives of his followers, but, being saved is depends on a new relationship with Christ. He is our head, the Spirit dwells within us, scripture speaks of us putting on Christ.

Being a Christian is more than placing membership in a congregation of believers and being present in God’s house every Sunday. When we learn of Christ and change our goals and way of life, called repentance, confessing that Jesus is our Lord, and being obedient to him in baptism, it is these that change our relationship with Christ. Why do we do these things? Simply because he said to. If he is our Lord, we will not question that he asks. If he had asked that we make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and leave thousands of dollars there, most could not do that. No, his test of our motivation, is something that even the poorest of the poor can afford. Even the tithe is in proportion to income. It is a matter of heart. When you give yourself, you give all.