"Breaking Free: Money as a Tool, Not a Trap" (Part 1 “The Money Talk You Keep Avoiding)

INTRO:

Why are we talking about money in church?

Growing up You were talk a couple of things …. And one of those things was you Never ask someone how much money they make? 

Still to this day I don’t know how much money my dad and mom made when they were working. 

Whats even more interesting is that you don’t here a lot of talk about money in the church either. 

The majority of the time if not the only time you hear money mentioned in the church is when “MONEY is needed from you.”

I thought, well lets talk about money when I am not going to ask for anything today.” 

So you can put your guard down, Okay?

I am not going to ask you to give above and beyond what you usually give today. 

What am I saying, “There is no big ASK coming up at the end.”

Is that safe? Is that fair? 

SEGWAY:

So why are we talking about money in church today? 

You talk about money every day!

Is it possible today (in this economy) to not have a conversation with someone about money? 

It can be something like ….

“Do you know how much eggs cost today?”

“You have to fill up the car again?”

“I can’t afford to buy a house in this market.”

“Kids cost a fortune.”

If some of you would be honest, you had an argument about money on the way to church today.” 

An when we don’t talk about money at church you don’t know how to have those conversations theologically.

If you are talking about money everyday and people on line are talking about money everyday we should have that conversation as well.

2.   Money is never easy to deal with at the best of times, and these aren’t the best of times.

To help put this into perspective …..

Gas Prices (Give gas prices:local - over the last 15 years)

Housing prices (Get the housing market:local - over the last 15 years)

Groceries, used cars, raising kids, etc.

So, back to the original question:  So why are we talking about money in church today? 

Do me a favor ….

Have everyone get their wallets/purse out ….

Yep wallet/church …. I knew it … they asking for money! (Laugh)

For some it might be your phone! 

I am going to tell you what I want you to do …… When I say go “DO IT!”

When I say go I want you to do it turn to someone you don’t know and (Front or back of you) and hand them your wallet/purse/phone and give them your PIN number to your bank account …… ARE YOUR READY ….. Kidding!

You can put your wallets/purses/phones back.

You saw were I was going with it …..

Can you imagine if that was a real thing?

Some of you were like …… AWEEEEEEE!

That triggered something in you didn’t it?

What is that?

Why do we get uncomfortable ….. even the idea of talking about money in church, taking our wallets out in church?

Then the idea of (I assume the people sitting behind you are strangers) …… giving a stranger my wallet ….. like what is going on?

This leads us to reason #3

3.   Money is about Trust.

How many people do you trust with that information? 

For some of you that answer is … NO BODY!

For some its your spouse!

You might even trust your kids with that info. 

Why is this? Because money is about trust. 

And that means “Money is Spiritual.” 

This is why I want to have this conversation over the next three weeks because MONEY IS A SPIRITUAL MATTER. 

We did that little exercise and everyone was terrified ….. Let me tell you why.

See if you can identify with some of the reason ….

Some of you might of been embarrassed because of how bad your financial situation is.

Credit cards (Ugh) I don’t want anyone to know that!

Some of you might of been embarrassed because of how good you financial situation is. 

Everyone is struggling but we are doing okay. 

     3.   Some of you are rich … so you whisper. 

You don’t want anyone to know how good it is so you whisper.

You don’t want to say that all that saving stuff worked and you got some lucky breaks and business done well.

All 3 of these are spiritual.

And Jesus wants to help!

Jesus talked a lot about money and we don’t talk enough about it in church. 

We only want to talk about it when we need your money.

We need to stop that. 

We need to talk about money because you are talking about it every day because its a spiritual issue. 

And if we don’t talk about it in church then you don’t have a theological framework. 

One promise I will make you is this ….. especially in part 2 and 3 …. This series will be What we want for you more than what we want from you. 

There is not going to be a special appeal at the end of this series.

So you can rest assured thats not going to happen.

But we need too have the conversation because Jesus wants to help.

Jesus talked about money a lot.

It wasn’t in the context of Give, Give, Give, Give (which is how pastors get a bad name)

But in the context of why its a spiritual issue.

And thats why he kept addressing it over and over again. 

So the big question I want to ask this week …. And its a tuff one……

But I really want you to wrestle with it ….

…. wether you’re new to the faith, 

…. wether youn are not even sure this is real,

…. or wether you have been on the path for years and years and years. 

If you are not trusting Jesus with your money are you really trusting Jesus?

I am not talking about “are you a Christian?” 

Your Christianity comes from what took place 200 years ago on the cross. 

The question is, “Am I still trusting Jesus with my finances?”

And if I’m not, and I really trusting Jesus?”

Because what (pull out my wallet) this showed was its a trust issue.

We all got really uncomfortable, weird and thinking he really is not going to do this is he? 

Its a trust issue!

So over the next three Sunday we are going to look over three episode in the life of Jesus where today Jesus gets encountered by somebody, we will gets some teachings by Jesus on money. 

Hopefully you walk away from this series with some help from Jesus on Money. 

BODY: 

Today we are going to go to the Gospel of Mark

Part One: The Money Talk You Keep Avoiding 

Maybe you find it hard to talk about money. Most of us do. 

Maybe your parents never talked about money, or fought over it. 

Besides, what you do with your personal resources is nobody’s business, right? 

Jesus wasn’t so sure. 

He often spoke about money in a deeply challenging way, as was the case with a wealthy young influencer who had money and power. 

What he said to that rich young ruler can change your life too.

Scripture

Mark 10:17–31 (ESV)

17And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

18And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 

19You 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.’ ” 

20And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 

21And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 

22Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 

23And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 

24And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 

25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 

26And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 

27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 

28Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 

29Jesus 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 lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 

30who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 

31But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Look at what is taking place 17And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

You might be thinking verse 17 is just a verse that is setting up what is about to take place. 

There is so much more to this verse than just that. 

Lets give a little context here …. “A man runs up to him” 

Not just a man but (mark tells us later) this is a rich man. 

Why does this matter?

If you are rich in first century Palestine you didn’t RUN! 

This was below you station of life (Only children and the poor did).

He “knelt before him.”  The NIV states, “a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him.”

This showed someone in a lowly position such as one who is in desperation, begging, or submitting. 

Wealthy people don’t just run up and interrupt.

What do they do? They would buy tickets and get the VIP ones (Meet the band after the concert) 

Pull Jesus aside and whisper, “I have a questions.” 

This is not what this rich young man did. 

He RAN up to Jesus and Bowed down. 

Something is going on.

And this is his question, “you been talking about this things called eternal life, what do I need to do to obtain it?”

I love what Jesus does, He answered a question with a question, 

Mark 10:18 (ESV) “And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.””

We can conclude that this man is not just rich but he is Jewish. HOW?

Because by what Jesus says to him in Verse 19 ….

Mark 10:19 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.’ ”

He is reciting the 10 commandments. 

The man is a little taken back. 

He says, Mark 10:20 (ESV) And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”

So what does Jesus do? 

Does he remind the young man that “last year you did this or you do did that?” 

NO! 

Mark 10:21 (ESV)

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, ….”

This must have been so noticeable by others that they wrote it down, “Jesus … loved him!” 

So one might think this is the end of this story!

There is no answer to this questions!

The rich young man might be thinking, “well good! I guess I have done everything then!”

But out of this love, Jesus comes along and turns everything upside down.

Jesus says, Mark 10:21 (ESV) “…. and (Jesus) said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

WOW!

Can you imagine how this young man might have felt? 

He might be saying to himself “You want me to LITERALLY sell everything? 

This is not just a liquidation of assets! 

Jesus says “Sell and give it all to the poor and then come follow me.” 

WHAT?????

The next verse Mark writes down, Mark 10:22 (ESV) Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

The word “disheartened” is the Greek word (Stygnazo) which means “to be sad” “to be sorrowful.” 

I want us to picture this …..

Earlier Jesus, Looked and Loved!

This rich young man, face fell (looked away) and went away.

You know what I realized the Rich young ruler did? 

HE BROKE THE GAZE!

Jesus was Looking at him ….. Loving him (as recorded) ….

He said something that was (in all honesty) hard!

This young ruler looked down and just walks away. (He just left)

Why would you break the gaze?

If someone who really loves you (some of you have had this romantically) it can become so intense that you have to look away. 

Why would you break the gaze? 

This question deserves digging deeper for the answer.

But the story isn’t over ……

The ruler leaves ……

Jesus turns his attention to His disciples and said, 

Mark 10:23 (ESV) “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

Unpacking this there is something that is needed to be understood, Jesus is not meaning ….

How hard it is for a Rich person to become a Christian.

Remember Christianity has nothing to do with what you have done, and everything with what Jesus has done for us.

What He did on the Cross. 

And now its us trying to living Jesus out in front of this world (living out the Kingdom of God).

And lets be honest …… IT CRAZY! (Right)

Us living out The Kingdom of God is living a life of Holiness. 

From a life of Holiness produces Love!

In God’s kingdom, holiness isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. 

Hebrews 12:14 (ESV) “Strive for …… holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Yes, God wants His children to be happy, but true happiness begins with holiness. 

Matthew 5:6 (ESV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Now look at what happens to the Disciples. 

Mark 10:24 (ESV) “And the disciples were amazed at his words.”

The word “Amazed” is the greek word (Thambos) which means “amazement, wonder.” 

Which some scholars have determined that it is probably connected with a root wood signifying “to render immovable.” 

This word is frequently associated with terror as well as astonishment

So using this word Mark is saying that the disciples stood “in amazement of this immovable truth.” 

Jesus wants to make this very clear.

The disciples could possibly walk away thinking “whatever! And possibly put their spin on it.”

But Jesus says, Mark 10:24 (ESV) But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!”

What Jesus does is state the same thing twice but he removes the “Rich young ruler” and inserts “ALL”. 

He goes on to state, Mark 10:25 (ESV) “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

I am going to be honest, I have wondered about this passage of scripture for a long time. 

What I found out through studying was that in Jerusalem there was a gate to the city named “the eye of the Needle.” 

And the people rode camels back then and when they entered through the gate the camel had to DIP to get through. 

THIS IS ACTUALLY TRUE!

But this was not taught as true until 9 centuries after the book of Mark was written. 

Some scholar was like “well, this is what was possibly happening.” 

Jesus goes on to say, Mark 10:26 (ESV) And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”

Some translations say, “they said to each other.” 

What ever the case may be we can all agree that it was asked, “Then who can be saved.” 

What can be concluded is this, ….. Jesus was using hyperbole. 

Its kind of like saying this …..

Its easier for a F250 to go through a wedding ring that the rich to enter into the kingdom of God.

You would say, Well thats impossible!” 

Exactly, now you understand it. 

Jesus said in Mark 10:27 (ESV) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Then Peter speaks up in Mark 10:28 (ESV) Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”

Jesus states in Mark 10:29–30 (ESV) 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 lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Jesus is saying that you will get it back (Following him and sacrificing) but its in a different way than what you are thinking. 

And you picture the disciples saying to themselves, What does this mean?

And Jesus may appear to muddy the water even more by saying Mark 10:31 (ESV) But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

And then Jesus is finished! And everyone is like, “WHAT!”

And here we are 2000 years later going, “WHAT!”

And if we think we can wiggle ourselves out of this text your are being to easy with it. 

The point is to make ME and make YOU UNCOMFORTABLE!

SEGWAY TO CONCLUSION: 

So were does the leave us today?

Lets go back to were we started.

The Gaze!

Jesus looked at the rich young ruler and loved him.

Its just too easy to break the Gaze.

This is what the rich young ruler did ….. he looked down and turned and walked away. 

What if he would have stayed there and looked at Jesus?

Looked directly into Jesus’ eyes and moved into that love?

What would have happened?

Thinking about this message and sharing it with you I thought about a couple of reasons why its easy to break the gaze: 

You are afraid of the unknown.

What is Jesus going to ask of me. 

You think you know better.

I have this nice little plan for my life, I like your but I would like for it to go my plans

Have you ever made bad financial decisions? 

You believe God isn’t good.

If I really present my finances to Jesus He is going to be mean.

This might be your understanding of God. 

You grew up in a Christian home but your parents really didn’t acted Christian at the house.

Maybe you had a parent die, or a child die and you are saying, “You are preaching to me that god is good.”

You are telling me that there is a good God.

I am just telling you whats in the text.

Jesus, in the embodiment of God’s love, looks at this young ruler and loves him.

So what if we didn’t break the gaze?

What if we looked back into Jesus eyes and …. And … 

Which leads me back to that earlier questions “If you are not trusting Jesus with your finances are you really trusting Jesus?” 

If there is a candidate for an idol in my life I promise you its probably going to be MONEY.

Well, I will trust God with my relationships, I trust God with my Faith, I’ll trust God with my emotions. 

But my money …. No! Then are you really trusting Jesus?

Because it’s a trust issue. 

CONCLUSION: 

So this week this is what I want to challenge you to do.

DON”T BREAK THE GAZE!

For some of you, you might be talking to God for the very first time ever.

This is a really interesting subject to begin with. I promise you won’t be board.

For some of you, you have never had a conversation with God about money. 

For the next 7 days don’t break the gaze. Keep staring into His eyes and see where this goes.

So the question becomes …..

It might appear very lofty but its very practical …..

Will you open or deepen a conversation with Jesus about Money you have been entrusted with? 

I promise you it will be uncomfortable 

Uncomfortably messy

Uncomfortably average ( I am so average. Why would he be interested in me.)

Uncomfortably wealthy. (Well if this goes the way it went with the Rich Young ruler I don’t know if I want to break the gaze or not, maybe I do.)  

How might you start trusting Jesus more with your finances?

This week, don’t break the gaze. Spend some intentional time in prayer with God about your financial situation (even 5 minutes three times this week). 

Whether you have a little or whether you have a lot, ask God what it would look like to trust Jesus more fully with your finances.