Toxic Treasure - When Wealth Owns the Heart

I recently came across a staggering statistic:

69% of Americans believe they’d be happier if they just had a little more money. (Gallup Poll)

Think about that for a moment. Almost 7 out of 10 people believe true happiness is one raise, one promotion, or one bonus away. And yet, according to multiple studies, even when people’s income doubles or triples, their overall happiness barely moves.

Why? Because deep down, money promises more than it can ever deliver. It promises security, significance, and satisfaction — but it can’t actually provide them.

And that brings us to a fascinating encounter in Mark 10 — a young man who had everything we think would make life full: wealth, status, influence, and youth. Yet something was missing. He comes to Jesus asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?

But when Jesus puts His finger on the one thing holding his heart — his trust in wealth — the young man walks away sorrowful.

This story isn’t just about him. It’s about us. Because whether we realize it or not, our hearts are wired to look for security in what we own.

Here’s the truth Jesus wants us to see today:

Wealth is not evil, but trusting in wealth is toxic to the soul.

And until we loosen our grip on our possessions, they will keep their grip on us.

Let’s Look at Jesus encounter with the Rich Young Ruler in Mark 10 and listen as he teaches three valuable lessons about Money and Possessions. 

Mark 10:17-22 - And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

I. Jesus’ Encounter with the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17–22)

A. The Rich Young Ruler’s Question

Jesus had just spoken of the kingdom being entered through childlike faith(Mark 10:15)

The ruler approaches as if eternal life can be earned, not received.

Wealth was often inherited ; he likely assumes eternal life works the same way — something to be secured rather than surrendered to.

But beneath his question lies a divided heart. Jesus sees it clearly.

B. Jesus’ Two-Fold Response

1. The First Test — Obedience to the Law

Jesus cites commandments governing human relationships

Do not commit adultery (7)

Do not kill (6)

Do not steal (8)

Do not bear false witness (9)

Do not defraud (9)

Honor your father and mother (5)

Jesus affirms his obedience but presses deeper — into the loyalty of his heart

2. The Second Test — The Call to Surrender

Jesus isn’t calling everyone to poverty — He’s confronting this man’s idol

Jesus, isn’t trying to shame the man, the text actually says that Jesus loves the man.

But Jesus does know that there is a toxin growing in the Young man’s heart.

Wealth is not evil, but trusting in wealth is toxic to the soul.

“Jesus’ basic demand is…for idols and covetousness to be thrown to the winds: sell it and give to the poor .” — Wright

Wealth has gripped his soul and is keeping him from God’s kingdom

Following Jesus requires releasing the security of possessions to embrace the security of God’s promises

C. The Rich Man’s Folly

“And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” — Mark 10:22

His sorrow exposes where his true loyalty lies.

“His unhappy departure reveals that he does not want to enter life under Jesus’ guidance.” — Garland

He wanted the kingdom to come but refused to release his grip on present-day riches

TRANSITION: 

Jesus uses this encounter to teach some life lesson on Money and possessions.This teaching is preceded by his disciples asking Jesus about the encounter.    

II. Jesus’ Life Lesson on Money and Possessions (Mark 10:23–31)

A. The Danger of Wealth

“How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! ” — Mark 10:23

The disciples are shocked — in their culture, wealth was viewed as a sign of God’s favor(Kernaghan)

But Jesus reframes wealth: instead of guaranteeing God’s favor, wealth can and prevent surrender.ensnare the soul

Money promises control, comfort, and security, but it can block our dependence on God

The Laws Jesus didn’t mention to the right young ruler included:

You should have only one God (1)

You should not have graven images (2)

Do not Covet (10)

These all have to do with the hold money and possession can have on our lives.  

In fact, in other places, Jesus has said, you cannot serve both God and Mammon, or money.

There is a warning here, not to live life only for money and possession.  

Sermon Illustration: The Illusion of Security

69% of Americans believe they’d be happier with just a little more money(Gallup)

We spend close to $1.2 trillion annually on non-essentials.

People will spend 90,000 hours working — almost a third of their lives — chasing temporary security

Like the rich young ruler, many of us cling to wealth hoping it can give us what only God can

So what is God’s solution to our addiction to Money and possessions?

B. The Call to Radical Generosity

“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” — Mark 10:21

Jesus calls His followers to hold possessions loosely and live with open hands

“Jesus insists…that the wisest investments accrue interest in the treasuries of heaven .” —Garland

Radical generosity breaks the power of materialism and resets our . ultimate loyalty(Garland)

If Jesus taught us to cut off hands or eyes to enter life release possessions, how much more should we be willing to that keep us from God’s kingdom.(Mark 9:43–48)

What does that look like in today’s culture?

Well, honestly it looks a bit different in everyone’s circumstances

I think it’s starts with a tithe.A regular giving back to the Lord and what he has blessed us with 

But notice I said it starts there.It doesn’t end there. 

There are offerings

Sacrificial giving

Benevolent giving

These are all specific offerings mentioned in the scriptures

I am going to leave out the on in the Old Testament that said there was an offering every time you broke the law.  

Because, some of us would have no money left at all.  

No, it not really about that, it’s because Jesus already paid that one for us.

How do we begin to detox our soul from money and possession, practice radical generosity!

C. The Reminder of Eternal Investments

“And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” — Mark 10:29–30

Jesus promises far greater wealth in the Age to Come, when God will rule as He always intended. (Wright)

“The Age to Come is the period of time in which God is at last ruling the world as He always wanted to.” — Wright

The rich young ruler missed out because he clung to temporary treasures instead of embracing eternal ones.

CONCLUSION:

In 1887, C.T. Studd was one of England’s most famous athletes — a star cricket player, a Cambridge graduate, and heir to a massive family fortune. By the world’s standards, he had everything: money, fame, and a bright future.

But after coming to faith in Christ, Studd wrestled with the same question the rich young ruler asked:

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Unlike the rich young ruler, Studd released his grip on worldly security. He gave away his entire inheritance — an amount equivalent to millions today — to support missionaries and ministries around the world.

Studd once said:

“I had tasted all that the world has to offer, but I knew there was better treasure in Christ. I would rather have Jesus and nothing else than everything else and not Jesus.”

He spent the rest of his life serving as a missionary in China, India, and Africa. People mocked him for giving up wealth and status, but Studd famously replied:

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Unlike the rich young ruler, C.T. Studd understood that the wealth of the Age to Come far outweighs the temporary treasures of this life.

How about you?

A few weeks ago I talked about the cost of discipleship and I mentioned that one of the costs was financial insecurity.  

This does not have to mean financial hardships

If we live by radical generosity, it will mean financial insecurity, because we will not live like the rest of the world. 

But I know of no better way to defeat the potential toxicity of wealth than practicing radical generosity.  

Wealth is not evil, but trusting in wealth is toxic to the soul.

Let me leave you with one more story.  

R.G. LeTourneau was a successful businessman and inventor who revolutionized the earthmoving equipment industry in the early 1900s. He built a massive fortune, but instead of letting his wealth control him, he flipped the script:

He decided to live on 10% of his income and give away 90% to fund missions, orphanages, and Christian ministries.

When people asked why, he said:

“It’s not how much of my money I give to God, but how much of God’s money I keep for myself.”

LeTourneau understood that — wealth isn’t the goal, it’s a tool. He leveraged his resources for kingdom purposes and discovered joy, freedom, and eternal impact.

Let’s not walk away today from Jesus lessons on money sorrowful, but eager follow him and trust in his promises!

Let’s Pray!