Mark 10:17-31 NASB
And as He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and began asking Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'"
And he said to Him, "Teacher I have kept all these things from my youth up." And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But at these words his face fell, and he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property.
And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples. "How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them. "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." And they were even more astonished and said to Him, "Then who can be saved?" Looking upon them, Jesus said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You." Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he shall receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first."
This passage challenges my thinking at this time. I am considering starting a business or a non-profit and these words keep coming back to me. Jesus asked the rich young ruler to give it all away. He asked his disciples to leave father and mother and everything they had known or had just to follow Him without looking back. He said, No one who has put their hand to the plow and then looks back is worthy of me. Luke 9: 62.
Does this mean that even before starting a business that would have the ability to make me rich, that I have to give it away. I am asking God and those whom I respect to comment on this as I make one of the bigger decisions of my life. "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever lose his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:39
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal." Matthew 6:19
So what should I do? Please comment.
Just a few thoughts for believers,
ReplyDelete1. I really think the point is to hold on loosely to things and people that may be a distraction to "the (co)mission" or the Sender (the Father).
2. We did not earn our salvation, and can contribute nothing to it - whether by earning, giving, ancestry, etc. That salvific act was only made possible by God Himself.
3. I do not think that in this passage Jesus meant that you have to go give up every penny, divorce your wife, ignore your parents and siblings.
If he was teaching the turn your back on all material things and relationships, then Luke would have to give up his practice, Paul should not have been making tents, Lydia should not have been selling "purple", etc.
In the last few weeks this passage has really been on my heart as well for the very same reasons - considering business ventures and various ministries. But, I know that God is faithful and will grant wisdom and discernment to us both as we seek him and his kingdom purposes.
Just my thoughts... I'll be praying for you in this decision.
Thanks for you input Edward aka Ironman. It is a comfort to hear a well-reasoned comment on this as I consider options as I move ahead.
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