Sunday, September 28, 2025
“What is the world to me With all its vaunted pleasure When You, and You alone, Lord Jesus, are my treasure! You only, dearest Lord, My soul’s delight shall be; You are my peace, my rest. What is the world to me!
“The world seeks after wealth And all that mammon offers Yet never is content Though gold should fill its coffers. I have a higher good, Content with it I’ll be: My Jesus is my wealth. What is the world to me!”
A wealthy young man asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17b). Jesus responded by listing some of the commandments, which the man claimed to have kept since childhood. Jesus said he lacked only one thing. He was to sell his possessions and give to the poor. Then Jesus issued His gracious invitation: “Come, follow Me” (Mark 10:21b). The young man turned away from the treasures of heaven because he already had another god. He valued his great wealth. There was no room in his heart for a greater Treasure.
Jesus knows the temptations faced by the wealthy young man and the temptations we face each day. Our Lord was tempted in every way as we are, but without sinning. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, each time the Savior resisted with the Word of God. Jesus refused to make selfish use of His power and would not put His Father’s loving care to the test. Then the ancient serpent tried to tempt Jesus with the world’s power and wealth, showing Him “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory” (Matthew 4:8b). If Jesus would worship the devil, all of that glory and wealth would be His. Jesus, the true Treasure, again answered with the Word: “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10b).
We face the same temptations the wealthy young man knew. The world’s vaunted, that is, highly praised pleasures can be very attractive, but we must never worship such things and make them the idols of our hearts. Our Heavenly Father treasures us, and in Baptism we are created anew as His sons and daughters. With faith created in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, we hear and answer the invitation of our crucified and risen Lord: “Come, follow Me!” When we are tempted by the world’s wealth and pleasures, we find our answer to temptation, as Jesus did, in the Word: “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.” The tempting things of this world, its pleasures and power, are temporary. Such things are passing away, but we have lasting wealth. Jesus is our Treasure!
WE PRAY: Jesus, when I am tempted by worldly things, help me to remember that You are my true Wealth and Treasure. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “What Is the World to Me,” which is number 730 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions: