Good morning, and a blessed Thursday to you!

For our devotion this morning, we'll be looking at Exodus 20 and Matthew 19.

Let's begin in Exodus 20, where God gives His people the Ten Commandments.

Please open your Bibles to Exodus 20, beginning with verse 1.

"Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery..."

God then gives the Ten Commandments:

• You shall have no other gods before Me.
• You shall not make for yourself an idol.
• You shall not misuse the name of the Lord.
• Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
• Honor your father and your mother.
• You shall not murder.
• You shall not commit adultery.
• You shall not steal.
• You shall not bear false witness.
• You shall not covet.

After giving these commandments, God continues throughout Leviticus and Numbers to give Israel additional laws concerning sacrifices, ceremonies, and worship. Over time, many people came to understand their relationship with God primarily through their own obedience to the Law.

Now fast-forward many centuries to the ministry of Jesus.

Turn with me to Matthew 19, beginning with verse 16.

"Then someone came to Him and said, 'Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?'

Jesus replied,

"If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."

The young man asked,

"Which ones?"

Jesus answered:

"You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

The young man replied,

"I have kept all these. What do I still lack?"

Notice something very interesting.

Jesus does not begin with the first commandments about loving God above all else. Instead, He begins with the commandments that deal with our outward actions toward other people—murder, adultery, stealing, honoring parents, and loving our neighbor.

The young man is feeling pretty good about himself.

"I've done all of those," he says.

"So what do I still lack?"

And this is where Jesus gets to the heart of the matter.

Verse 21:

"If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow Me."

When the young man heard this, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

I was listening to this passage recently on my Bible app, and it struck me like a bolt of lightning.

Jesus begins with the outward actions—things the young man believed he had successfully accomplished. But then Jesus exposes the true issue.

His heart.

Was Jesus saying money is evil?

No.

Was He saying possessions are sinful?

Not at all.

Jesus was revealing that this young man's wealth had become his god.

His money was what he feared, loved, and trusted most.

It had become an idol.

That's why Jesus addressed it.

The issue was never simply his possessions.

The issue was his heart.

The same is true for us.

There are many things that can quietly become idols in our lives—money, success, comfort, relationships, reputation, security, or countless other things.

Without even realizing it, we can begin fearing, loving, and trusting those things more than we fear, love, and trust God.

This young man sincerely believed he was living a righteous life.

But Jesus lovingly revealed where his heart truly rested.

So today, I invite you to examine your own heart.

What do you fear, love, and trust above all else?

Is there anything that has begun to take God's rightful place?

If so, confess it to the Lord. Repent, and remember His grace.

Because we love Him only because He first loved us.

Let's pray.

Heavenly Lord, we thank You for Your perfect Law. Through it, You show us where we fall short—not only in our actions, but also in our thoughts and in the desires of our hearts.

Lord, reveal to us anything that has become an idol in our lives. Bring us to repentance, and thank You for the forgiveness that is ours through Jesus Christ.

Help us to fear, love, and trust You above all things. Strengthen our faith so that our love for You is reflected in the way we love and serve our neighbors.

Place Your Word upon our lips, and keep it there, that we may share Your love, Your goodness, and Your forgiveness with everyone we meet.

Guide us, lead us, and keep us centered in You and in Your Word.

In the precious name of Jesus Christ we pray.

Amen.

Have an amazing rest of your week.

I look forward to worshiping the one true God with you this Sunday.

Until then, God bless.

Pastor Malinak