One thing you lack - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

And he answered and said to Him, Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth. Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack.
Mark 10:20–21

One thing you lack
Once, an amiable young man came to Jesus Christ with the question, “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (verse 17). When Jesus reminded him of God’s commandments, he replied, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” Yet that wasn’t enough. The Lord saw deeper and said, “One thing you lack.” What could it be? The Lord asked him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor; then he would have treasure in heaven. And then it says, “... and come, … follow Me”!

Clearly, this was something the young man hadn’t expected. He left sorrowful because he was very rich. Had Jesus asked too much of him? No! The man, who had until then been considered upright, evidently felt exposed. There was something in his innermost being that displeased God. The problem was not the wealth itself, but that he had attached his heart to it. Additionally, through what he asked and said, it becomes evident that:

o he regarded Jesus Christ as a “good teacher” but did not acknowledge Him as the Son of God and Saviour of the world.
o he thought himself better than he actually was. Ultimately, he loved his wealth more than God and his neighbour.
o earthly wealth can exert such attraction on a person’s heart that they prefer it over heavenly treasures and a glorious future with God. How unfortunate and foolish!

Today’s reading: Joshua 23:14-24:5 · 1 Corinthians 15:51-58