ARE YOU COMPLACENT?
Text: The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:20-22)
Have you heard the saying about the cat by the riverside that wants to eat fish but does not want its paws wet? So it is with us humans; everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die! There's always a price to pay. The dictionary defines complacency as 'A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger, trouble, or controversy'. A parent is complacent when he or she desires God-fearing children but doesn't train them in the way of the Lord. A leader who wants success but condones sloppiness among his followers is complacent. A pastor who wants a crowded congregation but does not look after individual members is complacent.
The bible story of the rich young ruler opens our eyes to this anomaly in the subconscious. It is a choice between right and wrong, to advance to perfection or remain in the status quo. While it is different from a choice between good or outright evil, like Eve's choice in Eden, it still leads one to utter despair and irredeemable loss. What loss can be greater than failing to make heaven in the end? The rich young man refused the opportunity of his life. His story would have been like that of the criminal on Jesus's side on the crucifixion hill who received the gift to heaven instantly, while the other criminal remained complacent.
Complacency is also a display of self-centeredness - a negative attitude of selfishness, uncharitable disposition and lack of fairness. Jesus counseled the young man to give his riches to the poor. We are not told, but if he continued in his self-centered way, his riches might depart from him (Prov. 28:27), for uncharitableness is not conducive to sustainable riches in God’s kingdom. He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord (Prov. 19:17).
However, the bible says the young man went away sorrowful, indicating that he was remorseful. It is easy to believe that he later became a disciple of Jesus Christ because we were told that Jesus had love at first sight for him (Mk. 10:21) and therefore might have worked on his salvation although we have no clue on this. Therefore there is hope for the complacent. God is a God of second chance. He does not want the death of sinners but that they turn and live (Eze.18:3).
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