Mark 10:17-31
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
20“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
28Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
*****
What a full passage this morning! Here’s the thing on this passage that I seem to miss so often: Jesus says these words with love. The passage says that Jesus looked at the rich, young man and loved him. His words weren’t words of condemnation. These were words of help and concern. The rich, young man lacked something in all the things he was doing right. He had difficulty letting go of his possessions. Indeed, his possessions had a hold of him.
S – is there a sin to confess? I am afraid that sometimes I not only hold onto my possessions too tightly, I am often not content with what I have.
P – is there a promise to claim? 1) With God all things are possible; 2) leaving all to follow Jesus will have its reward both now and in eternity.
A – is there an attitude to change? Need to change my attitude toward my possessions. God’s blessings can sometimes become an obstacle for me.
C – is there a command to obey? Not explicitly, but the rich, young ruler is told to sell everything and give to the poor. (Note: Jesus doesn’t tell him to give his things to the poor. Instead, he tells the man to sell everything and, I would presume, give the money to the poor. This tells me that the poor don’t need the material possessions of the wealthy. They need things far more useful to them rather than the luxuries of life.)
E – is there an example to follow? The disciples.
P -is there a prayer to pray? Pray that I would be able to see my things as not my own, but my responsibility to use for the kingdom.
E – is there an error to avoid? Materialism. Who do I serve? God or money?
T – is there a truth to believe? God is the one who saves. He is the God of the impossible. The rich young ruler reveals just how hard it is to be saved – it is impossible on our own. This actually gives hope to the rich young ruler, doesn’t it?
S – is there something to praise God for? Yes – He can save me! I am desperate without Him.
Personally, I do try to have an attitude of “what is mine is yours”. I think God has given me a generous heart (and I don’t say that with any pride). I know that all I have is God’s, and it is given to be shared with others. I pray that God would continue to make that a reality in my life. I think if I take an honest look at myself, I can see that lack of contentment in my life. Always wanting the next cool thing. My problem is not so much generosity; it is a lack of contentment. My prayer is that I would learn to be content with what has clearly been an abundance of blessing from God.