Rich, Young, Ruler

I have always thought that this story in the Bible was interesting.  Certainly, I have seen this played out in my life: that riches stand directly in the path between you or me and God.  I have been dirt poor in life and conversely quite well off at other times; honestly, I found when I had little - to be far better - because I was FORCED to rely on God and not my bank account!  Sad condemnation on the concept of faith.

Here, we have someone whom is identified as being Rich, Young and a Ruler in the various Gospels.  And he had his path to God nailed!  So, he approached Jesus, the oddity Rabbi of his day, to find out if he was on the right path.  He expect to be told he was doing good, on the right path, be praised for his piety - but Jesus did not quite reply as expected.

It is the application of the answer which should slow down anyone believing they are saved and on the right path to God or that God is blessing them with riches ...

Mark 10:17-22

Ask The Right Question
Our pious young man runs to Jesus, kneels and asks his question.
He assumes there is something he can do to earn salvation.
He assumes salvation can be earned under our own power.

Ask The Right Person
He to Jesus, not knowing whom He really was.
He assumed he could trust Jesus and His answer.

Take An Honest Look At Yourself
He wanted a checklist.
He did get some things he needed to do as a Jew.
He came thinking he was righteous but then realized that he fell short of expectations.
He strove to do good.
God wanted a relationship with him.

Hear The Challenge
Jesus loved him and his heart - he was told the truth.
His wealth stands in the way of his salvation.
Give the wealth away.
Let go of your idol: wealth.
Follow Me.
Gather treasure in Heaven, same as the Apostles.

Respond The Right Way
He came happy.
He left sad.

He could not correct his heart.

It would be nice if wealth did not stand in the way of our salvation, but in all honesty, as I saw within my self that I was less reliant upon God when I had wealth, so I have also see innumerable times in churches I have attended.  And we think piously of ourselves and our wealth, that it is not a problem - that if only others were as faithful as I, then they would not be poor either.  Or, a better one, if only they could brush away their sins, as I have done, then they would be blessed as well!

But, it always ends the same.  You plant wealth as your testimony and it always comes up destroyed by the whirlwind.  God does not need you or your wealth and if you think you can argue that point - then you really do not know God nor His power.  (Had that conversation more than once with those whom believe that they are chosen to be rich so that they can bless the Church ... really?  Someone needs to start reading their Bible!)

God blesses you with a penny, remember it is His penny and He is loaning it to you.
God blesses you with millions, remember it is His millions and not yours.
Yes, I suspect that you are expected to make a living, provide for yours with what you are given, but we hog and bank it or speculate with it.  This is where Dave Ramsay's classes fail, God can provide for you tomorrow, just like He did yesterday and today.  Take what He has given you and save it for tomorrow and you just told God you do not need Him any longer.  And He will hear your faith and reward you with exactly what you asked for.

Sorry, but we live in a God-less culture, where wealth has become the god, even those whom should know better have betrayed His desires and actively seeks others to follow them, not Him, in the future.

No, we do not need to live as paupers, but this is a far cry from how we do live.  More on this thought tomorrow.