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November 1, 2009 |
| Wealth | ||
When I was a child, I thought a millionaire was a rich man – now … not so much. Who is the richest person you know of?
17 As 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?"
What does the rich man think of Jesus? Fell on his knees (respect), good teacher, torment
18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good – except God alone.
There are many insights in this response, what do you see? No man is good enough, do you know who I am
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.'"
Jesus lists 6 of the 10 commandments in response. These are the commandments governing mankind’s relationship with mankind. Jesus already knows the problem but handles it nicely
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."
Jesus lovingly points out the rich man’s real problem but in a subtle way. What does he mean? Money has become your God, follow me and you will have treasure in heaven
22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
The rich man’s money has become his support and strength, instead of God. The focus of his life has become obtaining wealth and his enjoyment of life comes from money. He wants eternal life but he also wants his wealth. This decision is critical for him and will determine whether he inherits eternal life. The rich man walks off to ponder his decision.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
Why does Jesus say this? The world teaches us that wealth should be our goal, and we will have friends, fun, power, and respect
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."
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"
At that time in history Judaism had become corrupt. Even the religious leaders were focused on money and power and worship had become a ritual. So it was natural that the disciples believed that wealth was a blessing from God and the good works that money could buy would earn one’s way to eternal life.
27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
So, in answer to the rich man’s question, what thing can we do to earn eternal life? Nothing. Only by faith in Jesus and with him as our mediator will we be given the gift of eternal life
28 Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"
Now, Peter and the disciples become concerned about their own salvation. They want to confirm that their sacrifices and following Jesus will lead to eternal life. What sacrifices have they made? Families, businesses, possessions, withstood scorn and ridicule
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.
As pastor Westley says, “You can’t out give God”. But where we sometimes want things that are bad for us in this life, God will give us things that are good for us. But that does not mean our lives will be easy. There will be times when the lives Christians lead bring ridicule and even sometimes death.
But it’s important to understand that the blessings are not a payment for the sacrifices, but gifts that come from faith and following Jesus. Not struck a deal
31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
Jesus reminds us that we might think we know who is the greatest and who is the least, but he judges from a deeper knowledge and by a different standard.
The rich man’s money was keeping him away from God and the eternal life he desired. There are many things in this world that can take our eyes off God. We see some politicians and their quest for money and power, some music stars and their quests for fame and glory. But each of us must monitor our lives for things that may be pulling us away from God. This can include our jobs, TV time, activities, and other things.
1. “Few rich men own their property; their property owns them” (Robert Ingersol, 19th century agnostic)
2. “Many speak the truth when they say that they despise riches, but they mean the riches possessed by other men” (Charles Caleb Colton, 19th century writer and Church of England minister)
3. “My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions but in the fewness of my wants” (Joseph Brotherton, 19th century Christian minister and English Parliamentary reformer)
4. “To suppose, as we all suppose, that we could be rich and not behave as the rich behave, is like supposing that we could drink all day and stay sober” (Logan Pearsall Smith, 20th century Anglo-American essayist)
5. “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Jesus, Luke 12:15)