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mark, chapter ten is one of the most powerfully deep sections of scripture in the whole bible. from beginning to end, it contains some of the most radical teaching that ever touches our hearts.
here’s what i saw this morning:
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?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone. 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.’ ” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 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.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 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.” Mark 10:17-25
why is it so hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom? i ought to know the answer to this question better than i do. i am the rich man, for crying out loud!
i think part of the problem is a trust issue. i is sooo easy to trust wealth, when you have it. i have a credit card. i seldom ever use it. but i know i have it. i am never without a financial answer to the problems i face. i am wealthy enough to have insurance. even if my house burns down, i will have money to cover my loss. in money i trust…
it’s hard for me to be kingdom centered because of the distractions my wealth affords me. i can go wherever i want. i can pretty much have whatever i want. the things i own and the flexibility i possess, distract me everyday from the holy. these things aren’t bad. they are just distractions.
the comfortable life that money and entitlement have purchased create a huge road block to true kingdom living. the way of the cross is not paved with recliners. when the voice of the kingdom calls me to follow in the steps of jesus, it is a call to suffering, not luxury or well-being.
wealth and riches are the breeding ground of pride. “this is mine. i worked for it. i earned it. it’s what i deserve.” these are the thoughts of a man who possesses stuff. it just comes with the territory.
does it make me a bad person? nope. am i a spiritual failure or a loser in god’s eyes, simply because i am well-off? no way.
but the warning of jesus came through loud and clear to me today…
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