Proper 23B - 2024
Sermon for Proper 23, Year B
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
The Rev. Andrew McLarty
“That’s not how this works, that’s not how any of this works!”
In today’s Gospel, we hear the familiar story of the rich young man who approaches Jesus, asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus first reminds him of the commandments, and the young man replies that he has kept all these from his youth. Then, Jesus, looking at him with love, tells him, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” The young man leaves sorrowfully because he has many possessions. Jesus uses this moment to teach about the dangers of wealth and the challenge of prioritizing God above all.
This passage is not simply about money. Rather, it addresses the heart’s orientation and what we place as most important in our lives. It is that _one lacking thing_ Jesus describes. Without recognizing the Primacy of God in our lives, We are hindered from living fully into the Creation. The rich young man appears to be a righteous person; he has lived a morally upright life. However, when faced with the call to give up his wealth and trust completely in God, he is unable to let go. The possessions are not merely objects; they have become his security, his identity, and ultimately his idol.
Materialism is an age-old struggle that continues to ensnare many in our modern world. We live in a society that prizes wealth, possessions, and financial security as markers of success and fulfillment. We are bombarded with messages that tell us to accumulate more and strive for comfort. Yet, Jesus tells us, "THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS. THAT'S NOT HOW ANY OF THIS WORKS!" He calls us to a different way—a way that sees wealth not as an end in itself, but as a means to serve others and glorify God.
Life is not about perfection in keeping commandments, but about the willingness to surrender all that we have and are to Christ. Jesus emphasizes that eternal life is not achievable through human effort; it is only possible with God. He declares, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” This invites us to humility, recognizing that our own righteousness is not enough. We depend entirely on God’s grace.
Jesus does not condemn wealth itself; rather, He challenges the attachment to wealth. The key question becomes, “Where do we place our ultimate trust?” The call to give up one’s possessions is a radical call to reorder our lives, putting God at the center. It means that our resources, talents, and time are to be used in service to others, reflecting the generous love of God.
Today, let us examine our own lives. What are the possessions or pursuits that we struggle to let go of? What would it look like to trust more fully in God, to live with a radical generosity that reflects our faith? May we be encouraged to follow Jesus more closely, to reorder our hearts and lives, placing the primacy of God above all else, so that we may truly inherit the treasure of eternal life.
Amen.
