What do I lack?

Matthew 19:16-22

Taken out of context, this encounter could lead to some really bad theology. Taken out of context, it seems like Jesus is telling this man that he gain eternal life through good works: keep the commandments and give to the poor. It's important to remember the context and the main point that Matthew is getting at: that Jesus is the Messiah that was foretold by the prophets. In that light, this relates to the prophets' teaching that God is pleased when his people take up the cause of the lost, the least, the last and the littlest. It also shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law: if you want to be perfect... follow me (v. 21).
What is the lesson for the rich young man? First, he claimed to have kept all the laws that relate to loving your neighbour as yourself. Some have taught that Jesus was setting this man up: while he may love his neighbour as himself, he clearly does not love God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. He clearly loves his possessions more than he loves God.
While this may be true, it is also obvious that this man does not really love his neighbour as himself. While he it is hypothetically possible that he has never committed adultery, never murdered, never stolen, never given false testimony, etc., it is clear that he does not really love his neighbour as himself because he is unwilling to give up what he owns for the sake of his neighbour.
The contrast between this man and the man who discovers the treasure in Matthew 13 is striking: the man who discovers the treasure goes and with JOY sells all he has in order to possess that which is worth more. This man comes in contact with the greatest treasure possible in Christ and eternal life and goes away sad and what it will cost him. It is clear what this man values more than anything: his possessions.
I must constantly be evaluating my own life to discover what I have given more value than Christ and his kingdom. What am I spending my life on? What am I pouring my time, energy and resources into? What am I unwilling to give up for the sake of Christ and his kingdom? It may not be my possessions but I know that my heart is prone to wander from the source of true joy and true life. I know that my reputation and what people think of me becomes very important to me and constantly threatens to displace Christ and his kingdom as the priority of my life. I know that my leisure time is very important to me - I deserve some self-indulgence, after all - and constantly threatens to displace Christ and his kingdom as the priority of my life. I must fight to keep Christ at the center of my universe. I know that he is far more valuable than anything else I could put there and yet, like the rich young man, I sometimes walk away sad at the steep price that Christ demands. May I learn to treasure Christ above all.