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.