(Read Matthew 6 v 19-34 and Luke 18 v 18-30)
So what was wrong with this person?
The disciples were chomping at the bit to sign him up for the team. He was young, educated and seemed sincere, he had skills, he was well connected and he had considerable resources which would surely come in handy and yet Jesus made him feel uncomfortable and let him go!
Why?
Because the Lord perceived that this man’s first love would always be his material wealth and God refuses to take second place.
Now let’s be clear the Bible does not condemn money or possessions in themselves. Abraham and Solomon were wealthy. In numerous places the Bible regards material prosperity as one way God blesses His people. Some of the women who followed Jesus were well off and supported His ministry.
Having money, even lots of money is not a sin, but our attitude to it can be a real problem. The ‘love of money’ can nurture evil ambitions in our lives and, according to Jesus, might even prevent people from entering His kingdom. Imagine someone with large bags of money trying desperately to squeeze through the eye of a needle, He says. Not easy!
If, instead of worshipping the Lord Who delights to give us good gifts, we become enamoured and obsessed with the gifts themselves we stray into idolatry and we should know from the very First Commandment God does not tolerate rivals!
So in His Sermon on the Mount Jesus takes time to talk about this. Like many of the writings of the prophets before Him we find in Jesus’ words this balance of warning and promise.
He speaks of treasure and vision and service. We should be careful what we value, what we set our eyes and hearts on, what we allow to rule over us.
Ok, we’ve got the point we shouldn’t love money but we still need some! It’s a practical day-to-day necessity in this present life and our Father in heaven knows and cares about every aspect of our lives right down to our daily bread! Look at the birds returning after winter, observe the seasons, seedtime and harvest. We don’t need to stress about how we’ll get by when we are cared for by a faithful God.
Jesus promises His disciples that when we put God and spiritual things first in our lives He will ensure we have everything else we need! He will help and enable us to find our talents and work and earn a living and have enough to support church and help others too. Our Father in heaven is generous and delights to give His children good things to enjoy, and share, with gratitude.
Read on through the Gospels and we’ll find these principles repeated in Jesus’ parables and encounters with people.
Think of the rich man who builds bigger barns but dies suddenly, he momentarily seems to gain the whole world but in the end is seen to have forfeited his soul! Or the rich man who parties on, ignoring the beggar at his gate and ends up suffering in hell.
Remember the good Samaritan who goes out of his way and generously pays to help a complete stranger from a different ethnic background without any chance of ever being repaid. Now there’s a good neighbour, suggests Jesus. Or what about Zacchaeus, liberated from his selfish bondage to wealth by the superior, forgiving love of Jesus, joyfully now giving compensation and additional donations to charity. Money no longer had him in its grip but could be used to serve others to the glory of the Saviour. There’s evidence of salvation, declares Jesus!
The disciples had made sacrifice, leaving homes and careers to follow Him. Jesus promises not just eternal life but resources, hospitality and blessing in the here and now in the worldwide family of His Church.
Are we getting the picture? If we live selfishly and without compassion our material treasures will soon fade and we may miss the grace and salvation and life that are found in Jesus. But if we trust and submit all to Him, seeking as first priority God’s kingdom and all that pleases Him, we can live free and be richly rewarded in this life and the one that is to come!
So what was wrong with this person?
The disciples were chomping at the bit to sign him up for the team. He was young, educated and seemed sincere, he had skills, he was well connected and he had considerable resources which would surely come in handy and yet Jesus made him feel uncomfortable and let him go!
Why?
Because the Lord perceived that this man’s first love would always be his material wealth and God refuses to take second place.
Now let’s be clear the Bible does not condemn money or possessions in themselves. Abraham and Solomon were wealthy. In numerous places the Bible regards material prosperity as one way God blesses His people. Some of the women who followed Jesus were well off and supported His ministry.
Having money, even lots of money is not a sin, but our attitude to it can be a real problem. The ‘love of money’ can nurture evil ambitions in our lives and, according to Jesus, might even prevent people from entering His kingdom. Imagine someone with large bags of money trying desperately to squeeze through the eye of a needle, He says. Not easy!
If, instead of worshipping the Lord Who delights to give us good gifts, we become enamoured and obsessed with the gifts themselves we stray into idolatry and we should know from the very First Commandment God does not tolerate rivals!
So in His Sermon on the Mount Jesus takes time to talk about this. Like many of the writings of the prophets before Him we find in Jesus’ words this balance of warning and promise.
He speaks of treasure and vision and service. We should be careful what we value, what we set our eyes and hearts on, what we allow to rule over us.
Ok, we’ve got the point we shouldn’t love money but we still need some! It’s a practical day-to-day necessity in this present life and our Father in heaven knows and cares about every aspect of our lives right down to our daily bread! Look at the birds returning after winter, observe the seasons, seedtime and harvest. We don’t need to stress about how we’ll get by when we are cared for by a faithful God.
Jesus promises His disciples that when we put God and spiritual things first in our lives He will ensure we have everything else we need! He will help and enable us to find our talents and work and earn a living and have enough to support church and help others too. Our Father in heaven is generous and delights to give His children good things to enjoy, and share, with gratitude.
Read on through the Gospels and we’ll find these principles repeated in Jesus’ parables and encounters with people.
Think of the rich man who builds bigger barns but dies suddenly, he momentarily seems to gain the whole world but in the end is seen to have forfeited his soul! Or the rich man who parties on, ignoring the beggar at his gate and ends up suffering in hell.
Remember the good Samaritan who goes out of his way and generously pays to help a complete stranger from a different ethnic background without any chance of ever being repaid. Now there’s a good neighbour, suggests Jesus. Or what about Zacchaeus, liberated from his selfish bondage to wealth by the superior, forgiving love of Jesus, joyfully now giving compensation and additional donations to charity. Money no longer had him in its grip but could be used to serve others to the glory of the Saviour. There’s evidence of salvation, declares Jesus!
The disciples had made sacrifice, leaving homes and careers to follow Him. Jesus promises not just eternal life but resources, hospitality and blessing in the here and now in the worldwide family of His Church.
Are we getting the picture? If we live selfishly and without compassion our material treasures will soon fade and we may miss the grace and salvation and life that are found in Jesus. But if we trust and submit all to Him, seeking as first priority God’s kingdom and all that pleases Him, we can live free and be richly rewarded in this life and the one that is to come!
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