Not All Idols are Made of Wood or Stone

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good.”

Matthew 19:17

Jesus is asked by a rich man in his prime what good must he do to get into heaven.  His intentions are implicit; instead of asking to follow Jesus, he wants to know a recipe for achieving a goal.  Nevertheless, Jesus enters into the discourse and ultimately brings it round to the thing that's been nagging at the young man all along:

“Sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

And he walked away sad, knowing that his wealth had too great a hold of him.  For him, that was the thing that blocked him from the goodness of heaven's atmosphere.  For many, wealth is that thing that holds us back.

We say all the right things. We do all the right things.  But in the end there's something that we lack.  Jesus knows what that thing is.  For some, it's family.  For others it's wealth.  For others it's home - or culture, or even religion.  But Jesus is a jealous God, and He will not share His affections with another love!  Don't hedge that relationship by trying to do or achieve or acquire this place of God's goodness while holding on to the very thing that stands between you and Him, for He will surely see through that empty ruse.