Matthew 10:20-21 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:

I have a trick question for you. Note here that I have already told you it is a trick question. What was the one thing this rich man lacked?

Let me ask it this way. Suppose this rich man did exactly what Jesus said and sold all that he had and gave it to the poor, does he get into heaven to collect his treasure in heaven?

Before you answer that question allow me to show you my trick. I did not quote all of verse 21. Jesus also said “and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Now here is the trick, Jesus said take up the cross before His arrest, persecution, execution, death, burial, rising from the dead and ascension. How could this rich young man have been able to understand the work of the cross of Christ that had not even been performed yet?

Now look at this trick question from this side of the cross and ask yourself the really hard question, what one thing do I lack? I have read your laws and I have obeyed them. I have given you every last ounce of devotion. I love you with all joy and given of myself unselfishly. What one thing do I lack?

What if Jesus were to answer now, on this side of the cross and said “Me.”

So many of us get caught up in the doing that we forgot to take up the One who does everything for us and in us to the glory of the father. It matters not if we have emptied our hearts of every worldly care and concern if we haven’t let Jesus in to fill the emptiness.

1 Chronicles 13:8-12 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day. And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

I remember this telling whenever I see a brother speak about our God with irreverence. The example set before me is that God does not need me to defend Him.

The oxen that stumbled is the man that was irreverent. If I reach out to defend God I act like Uzza. It is not my place to react out of disgust or disappointment. God is fully capable of defending Himself. This is not the enemy, this man is in our midst, a brother in the Lord. As much as it bothered me I have to remember this man belongs to the Lord.

Uzza’s act was human instinct. It was emotional, not spiritual. It is not easy to restrain emotions but when we are in the presence of the body of Christ, how we react speaks more harm to the rest of the body than this man’s irreverence. People need to be reassured that I will not jump down their throats for a slight or a mistake. The bond of peace in fellowship is my first responsibility.

If the Lord needs me to do anything further, it will come in my quiet time, not when I am upset.