There was no lack.
That is what he lacked.
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Matthew 19 v 20-22)
If this man had walked into many churches we would have got him saved and certainly a tithing member as soon as possible! However, Jesus seems to purposely offend this man and to make it so difficult for him.
Jesus doesn’t say “repeat the sinners prayer and you’ll get eternal life,”
He says this and it is all pointed towards the commandments he has kept in reference to people.
You have everything
You have done everything
But you lack one thing
There is no lack in your life.
In the one area where you are rich the most, in your relationships, here is what you must do.
This is not another commandment for you to accomplish perhaps using your riches as a crutch.
Sell everything.
Give to the poor.
Lay your life down.
Come to me with lack.
Come to me with nothing.
This is how you follow me.
With lack.
Total reliance on me for your salvation and eternal life.
The response of the man was that the earthly actually mattered more than the heavenly and Jesus knew it.
It is hard for those who have it all and want to pursue it all because they have no lack, no desperate need, no longing. They are full.
Missions Paul 