The Rich, Religious, and Lost
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Introduction:
No one is neutral when it comes to money. And when it comes to discipleship, your relationship with money, whether good or bad, will often reveal your relationship towards God.
As Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem, you remember Jesus gives important lessons on discipleship. We already looked at a few: the need for humility, the seriousness of sin in , God’s intention for marriage and God’s view of children in , and now we turn to the topic of wealth and possessions.
Jesus is teaching that discipleship includes all of life. Marriages, children, and how we relate to possessions and wealth.
Jesus spoke more about money than he did heaven and hell. He taught 39 parables, eleven of them had to do with money. The Apostle Paul often spoke about money as well. For further study, I would encourage you to read , and also 1 Timothy.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
An inordinate affection for money can really stumble us and keep us from God.
Many of us will think that the passages about money don’t apply to us because it is for the Hollywood celebrities or those who have nice paying jobs. But if you live in America, you are statistically more wealthy than half the world’s population.
Statistics says that the average “American Christian” tithes 2% of their income.
Materialism is not a problem for Bill Gates of Jeff Bezos, but for all of us sitting in this room.
So the passage is for all of us this morning. Paul knew about the dangers of wealth and that is why he charged Christians to make sure they are generous:
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”
And in our story this morning, Jesus meets a successful and sincere rich young man. This man was blessed from a worldly perspective. But in Jesus’ conversation with him, we will see how he was spiritually poor not realizing his true spiritual condition.
This man, as we will, had a superficial understanding of Jesus, of God’s Law, of Heaven, and what it means to follow Christ.
Sadly, churches today have superficial understandings of Jesus, God’s Law, Heaven, and discipleship because they cater to the seeker and have turned the gospel into some type of magic formula to make you have your best life here on this earth.
Main Proposition: In , we will see three dangers of wealth, so that we would learn to guard our hearts and prioritizes what truly is important and lasts in this life.
Recap
And I think it was intentional that the story of the rich young ruler follows the discussion about children in last’s weeks passage.
You remember children were the least and most helpless in society who had no resources of their own. They were at the bottom of the social ladder.
And in this story, there is a contrast with one who was at the top of the social and economic ladder who was successful and had an abundance of resources.
I think Mark puts these two stories side by side to show us a contrast: weak vs. strong, dependent vs. independent, insufficient vs. self-sufficient.
One story showed how one receives the kingdom.
This story shows how one is excluded from the kingdom.
Scripture Reading:
And 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?” 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, all these I have kept from my youth.” And 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.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult 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 person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to him, “See, 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 lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who 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. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Mark 10:17-
This is the reading of God’s Holy Word. May the Lord soften our hearts so that we may hear attentively and respond in obedience. Amen.
The first danger of wealth is that it can make you proud.
I. Wealth can make you proud (vv. 17-22)
I. Wealth can make you proud (vv. 17-22)
Now there is nothing wrong with wealth in of itself. There were many wealthy people in the Bible. Think about Abraham or Jacob. Think about Job. Think about King David and Solomon.
The people of Israel were to inherit the promised Land, a land with material blessing. God created everything and declared it good.
The problem with wealth is how our hearts relate to it. When we elevate it and begin to find security or status in it, it has begun to act as a functional Savior. The most important danger in wealth is that it can turn our hearts away from God.
I find it interesting every time I watch Golden Globes or Oscars, that when these actors or actresses receive these awards, it used to be a time of just thanking the people who were involved in their success.
But now, what we see, some type of political or moral message that an actor tries to squeeze in there: whether it is about rights, or climate change, or fair wages, or whatever the actor is passionate about.
And many reporters have often pointed out the hypocrisy of some of these statements because for example if someone is talking about climate change, they often contradict their own statements by traveling in a big car to get to their award ceremony or a private plane to get to their destination.
But why is that these people are wanting to make moral and political statements? I think because for some, since they are wealthy and successful, they feel entitled to speak into other areas outside of their field of expertise.
Wealth can make you feel competent and an expert in other areas outside of your field of expertise. Maybe for this rich young man.
And 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?”
And as Jesus was setting on his journey, that is to Jerusalem, a man ran up to Jesus. Now the other Gospels, Matthew and Luke, record the same story for us but add details for us. They tell us that the man was very wealthy. He was a ruler (maybe a ruler of a synagogue).
If there was a Jewish Forbes magazine of 100 successful people under 30, he would have been on it.
The man was sincere. He ran. Wealthy people would not want to run, because people usually came to them. But he runs to Jesus.
The man was respectable. He knelt. He knew Jesus was a prominent Rabbi. He called him good teacher.
This man was successful. Young. He may have been handsome. He had wealth. He was involved with his local religious community if he was a synagogue ruler. It would seem that the man had it all, except an understanding of eternal life. He had his life all put together.
Helen and I have friends like this. Really nice people. Yet they are our age. They have nice paying jobs and even six figure salaries. They own their own homes and cars. They have money saved for retirement. They even have bought property just so that they can invest and make more money. They travel to Europe on their vacations. It seems like they have achieved the American Dream.
This young ruler made it. He was successful. He was smart. He was moral and respectable. Many people would envy his life.
If he achieved success in every area of his life, then the only thing he didn’t achieve was eternal life.
What must I DO to inherit eternal life?
And 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?”
We will come back to that. But he wanted to know what HE COULD DO to achieve and earn eternal life.
The Man’s Superficial Understanding of Good (v. 18)
And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
Now, Jesus isn’t saying he is not good. But Jesus is asking a question to draw the man out. In other words, Jesus wants to get beyond the superficial as we will see he had a superficial understanding of who Jesus was, the Law, Heaven, and Cost of Following Jesus.
Good can be a relative term.
Good. My daughter was good today because she didn’t hit another baby.
Good. He is a good young man because he has a job, and goes to school, and doesn’t ask mom for gas money.
Good. He is a good Christian because he serves in the children’s ministry and goes to church.
But Jesus wants to show the man all goodness must begin with God. Let’s no compare ourselves to another, let’s look at God’s standard of goodness and see if you measure up.
The Man’s Superficial Understanding of the Law (vv. 19-20)
You are a smart man. You are a religious man. What are the commandments?
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.’ ”
Mark 10
He list commands 6, 7, 8, 9, defraud is probably a specific application of do not covet since he was rich, and 5. These commandments summarize the second table of the law or how we are to relate to our neighbor.
And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”
The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And notice what he says to Jesus: I have kept from my youth. Since I was a young boy, 12 was considered a youth at the time, but from my childhood I have obeyed.
And notice what he says to Jesus: I have kept from my youth. Since I was a young boy, 12 was considered a youth at the time, but from my childhood I have obeyed.
Now, he probably wasn’t there when Jesus gave his sermon on the mount. Because the Law of God is not only about keeping the commandments externally, but also internally as God examines the motives and intentions of the heart.
From an outward perspective, yes, he may have kept the Law. But from an internal heart level, Jesus is going to reveal to him that he hasn’t.
He not only had a superficial understanding of God, His Law, but superficial understanding of Discipleship
Superficial Understanding of Discipleship
:
And 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.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Sadly, modern evangelism strategies look like sale strategies. If we only get people to close the deal with a prayer or a signed card or get them to join our church, then we are successful. But Jesus shows the man that following Jesus will demand your total commitment and total obedience.
And 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.”
He must have been about the same age as Jesus. Jesus was not being proud or rude. Jesus loved him. He had compassion on Him. And because he had compassion on Him, he was willing to tell him the truth and reveal the man’s self-righteousness and true state of the heart.
You do lack something when the man thought that he did not lack anything. He lacked the worship of God!
Notice the commands: Go, Sell, Give, Come, Follow.
If you are really serious, give up all your wealth and follow me. Again, Jesus is a skilled spiritual doctor and surgeon. He got to the man’s heart because he was very wealthy.
The problem was not wealth, the problem was wealth had the man’s heart.
The problem is not about possessions, the problem is when possessions possess your heart.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
He was discouraged. He went away sorrowful and sad. He was devastated. He was shocked. Eternal treasure was right in front of him and he could not give away his temporary and rotting treasure because the man loved his possessions more than he did Jesus. Wealth had become the man’s functional God, his functional identity, his functional savior, his functional security, and happiness.
Christian—You can be say you love Jesus, but your heart and checkbook tell a different story. Wealth may be your god even though you give lip service to God on the weekend.
Is wealth your God?
Whether your rich or poor, you can idolize wealth.
How do you know you are idolizing wealth?
Do you feel a sense of safety when your bank account numbers are ok? Or do you feel unsafe when they are not?
Are you always worrying about money? Or you always getting into debt?
Do you always feel like you never have enough?
Do you sacrifice spiritual pursuits: reading your Bible, prayer, corporate worship for worldly pursuits.
Are you generous or do you withhold for the the things of God?
What are your first waking thoughts throughout the day? Is it how can I achieve more money, or how can I serve God with what God has entrusted me?
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:
“Money can function as an ingredient in a lifestyle that, at street level, forgets God’s existence and his plan. This lifestyle is more about personal glory than God’s glory, and it reduces one’s expenditure of money to personal desire, self-defined need, and the pursuit of individual comfort and pleasure. You may have not theologically denied the existence of God, but your money supports a lifestyle that ignores it.” Paul Tripp
Students. I hope you are not buying into the wordly idea that the purpose of school and college is just to make money. That is a secular and wordly idea. Yes, we need money to provide and help others.
But education is a means to serve God and others.
The young man thought he could achieve eternal life. If he could achieve a successful career and climb up the ladder, what things did he need to climb up the spiritual ladder.
Christian—Know your Bible. I fear many have a superificial understanding of Jesus just like this rich Young Man. They think that if I am just a good moral church going member, give my 10 %, I’m for sure going to go to heaven.
You may be religious, like this young man, but blind to your lostness because you still trust in sonnmething other than Christ.
Church—We must preach the Law. We must not err on the side of antinominanism. Anti-Law. But preach the Law to unmask human sinfulness. We must go beyond a superficial understanding of the Law so people can see their sinfulness and need to Christ.
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Christian—One of the ways to kill greed in your life is to give it away. I really appreciate the 2019 tax receipt. It shows me what I gave last year, and what I gave this year.
Non-Christian—If you are not a Christian, salvation is not something you achieve. Salvation is not something you earn. It is something that is recieved. It is something that is given by the free grace of God as we move on in our text.
There is a second danger wealth can bring....
Transition: Wealth can make you proud…but secondly...
II. Wealth can keep you out of heaven (vv. 23-27)
II. Wealth can keep you out of heaven (vv. 23-27)
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
Mark
You have to understand that the people who had wealth were considered blessed by God. The common view is that if you did not have wealth, then maybe you were cursed.
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.
But here, Jesus says wealth is a barrier to one’s relationship with God. And notice the illustration Jesus gives...
And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult 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 person to enter the kingdom of God.”
If he can’t make it in heaven, who can? He calls his disciples children. A term of affection and also refers to believers.
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.
It is easier for an Elephant to go through an ring than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
It is easier for an Airplane to go through my door than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus is not saying that wealthy people can’t go to heaven.
In the NT, we see generous women who supported the ministry of Jesus. In , Zachheus was a believer. We see Joseph of Arimathea who gave the tomb to Jesus. We see in Acts, the believers were selling property to distribute the poor. Or Lydia who was rich, became a believer.
The problem is for the one who is trusting in his wealth. Wealth can tie us to this earth can’t it.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark Discipleship and Possessions (10:17–31)
Anything that causes disciples to forget their poverty and childlikeness before God and that prevents them from following Jesus Christ—this, too, is a camel before the eye of a needle.
Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Mark (Revised Edition) The Peril of Riches
The danger of possessions is that they fix a man’s thoughts and interests to this world.
Mark 10:
Ryle, J. C.. J. C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels . GLH Publishing. Kindle Edition. Introduction
Money can blind a man to the things of God. Materialism is the functional idol and savior of many.
And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”
Ryle, J. C.. J. C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels . GLH Publishing. Kindle Edition. Introduction
It’s impossible for him and it’s impossible for us.
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
Only God can free us to love him more than we do wealth. He frees us through the Gospel of His Son.
The Gospel tells us that Jesus, being God’s Son, was the wealthiest person in human history.
But the Bible says, he did not grasp or hold onto these privileges.
Instead, the Bible says, he gave it up to make us spiritually wealthy by dying on the cross for our sins, paying the infinite debt of our sin to God as our ransom, and rising again from the dead that all who turn from the idol of materialism and place their faith in Christ alone will have not only the riches of heaven, but God Himself, who is the greatest treasure.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Christian—One of the evidences you have been truly converted is that God changes your relationship to wealth and possessions. You no longer view your possessions as your own, but belonging to God. You understand that you are steward who is required to be faithful to what has been entrusted to you.
“Christians are people who know that their Christianity is impossible, a miracle—there is nothing natural about it, it flies in the face of all one’s merits.”
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.
“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Do you display a transformed heart? Well, do you give to the local church? Do you give to the support of missionaries? Do you have a concern for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the weak?
You actions will reveal where your heart is at.
See, if you think your life is just to hoard stuff and accumulate more. You can have all the world and be spiritually poor and bankrupt and find out that you are not a Cchristian.
Church—God gives us wealth to enjoy life. But also to be generous and share with others.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
You are to give and provide for your family (). You are to do good to the spiritual family (). You are to do good to those who have gone out for the sake of the name ().
Worldly wealth is given us, not only as maintenance to bear our charges through this world, according to our place in it, but as talent, to be used and employed for the glory of our great Master in the world, who hath so ordered it, that the poor we should have always with us as his receivers.
Just a reminder, if you proclaim the name of Christ, you are to give to the Lord’s Work. Giving to the local church. The Bible does not prescribe a set amount except that it is to be cheerful, proportionate, regular, and sacrificial. However, 10% is a good place to begin and grow in the discipline of even giving larger amounts.
Just a reminder, if you proclaim the name of Christ, you are to give to the Lord’s Work. Giving to the local church. The Bible does not prescribe a set amount except that it is to be cheerful, proportionate, regular, and sacrificial. However, 10% is a good place to begin and grow in the discipline of even giving larger amounts.
Some Christians have given 25-30-50 % of their income. The Lord will lead you.
We also have a benevolent fund, which is usually given to members in need. We have usually used this fund for some type of crisis for members or the death of some family member.
Faith Promise. We have a mission fund that every dollar you give goes directly to our missionaries.
Building Fund. This is for saving so that we can have more room in the building to do ministry.
Other worthy causes the Lord leads such as church plants, supporting seminary students, pastors whose churches are unable to provide. There are a host of needs.
Can you dream with me a bit? What if every member of CFBC gave faithfully, could not the Lord provide for not just one pastor, but several pastors?
What if the Lord continue to prosper us, that every member in our local church had their needs met?
What if the Lord continue to prosper us, that missionaries would be fully supported and taken care of?
What if the Lord continue to prosper us, that we would have money to raise and support interns and seminary students?
What if the Lord continue to prosper us, that we could send out a fully supported missionary from our own church?
What if the Lord continue to prosper us, that we could even plant churches and support a church plant?
What if the Lord continue to prosper us, that we can have pew Bibles and hymnals so that we could continue to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly?
What if the Lord continue to prosper us, that we could serve the least and helpless in our local continuity?
God uses the faithfulness of his people. And if you have a transformed heart, you will long to be involved in your Father’s business so that His Name would be glorified.
Non-Christian—We are not expecting you to give. Money can’t buy you heaven. The lesson here if you don’t get anything else is that the kingdom of heaven cannot be achieved or purchased. There is no amount you can give to earn your salvation.
You need the wealth of another to pay the debt you ow to God. That is Jesus. And He did. So that you can be generous and have a new heart.
If you don’t get anything today: hear me here: YOU CANNOT ACHIEVE HEAVEN. YOU CANNOT EARN HEAVEN. You can only receive it like a helpless child who has no resources of your own.
The secret of eternal life is that it is not achieved, but it is received. It is not earned, but given freely as an act of God’s grace.
Transition: Wealth can make you proud, keep you out of heaven, but leave you spiritually bankrupt...
III. Wealth can leave you spiritually bankrupt (vv. 28-21)
III. Wealth can leave you spiritually bankrupt (vv. 28-21)
The first thing that people told me after Service last Sunday was that did you hear that Kobe died? I hope you weren’t checking your phones while listening to my sermon.
But anyways, that was an absolute tragedy since he was a cultural icon of LA. He was wealthy, successful, and a basketball legend who will forever be in the hearts of basketball falls
It was an absolute tragedy that a terrible accident left many dead, many who were moms and dads and even the daughter of Kobe.
It is natural to grieve and not be affected by a tragedy even though I am not a basketball fan.
There are families this week that will have no moms, no dads, no sisters, no brothers and that will forever impact and change their lives.
But do you know what is a greater tragedy than that? It is to live your whole life without Christ. It is to live your whole life pursuing treasure that doesn’t last and can be taken from you any moment. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? If Kobe death’s was a reminder that your life is a vapor and you are not guaranteed tomorrow no matter how healthy, or successful, or wealthy you are.
Remember the parable of the rich fool?
And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
luke 1
Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”
I don’t know if Peter was speaking sincerely or arrogantly. But as the spokesman of the disciples, he was always first to speak.
They still had their boat, they still had their houses. God doesn’t call us to such a radical lifestyle without giving us divine motivation and promises to encourage us in our pursuit of him.
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, who 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.
Those who have made great sacrifices will not only be rewarded in this life but the life to come.
It is true, some missionaries have left houses and lands and children to go to mission field. They have left the comforts of America to serve in places where the gospel is needed.
Some of us will be called to that, but for others, Jesus is calling for complete commitment and total sacrifice.
Some will be excluded from your own family for following Jesus or getting to serious with this Christianity thing. There are many people who can speak from personal experience.
In fact, part of Neneg’s testimony was that she was treated as a servant girl, when she professed faith in Christ.
Following Jesus is Costly, but it is Absolutely Worth it.
What do you gain?
I have the family of God. I have many brothers and sisters in this church. I have many mothers and fathers in this church.
Money is one of the world’s most common saviors and god. How are you addicted?
You can’t give?
You feel like you never have enough?
You are willing to substitute other pursuits over spiritual pursuits?
How to receive the kingdom: like a child.
How to be excluded from the kingdom: trust in yourself and riches.
Last week looked at the lowest person of society, this week we look at the person at the top of the ladder.
This man was a sincere seeker.
Scripture Reading:
And 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?” 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, all these I have kept from my youth.” And 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.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult 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 person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to him, “See, 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 lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who 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. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
I. Superficial Religion (vv. 17-22)
II. Human Religion (vv. 23-27)
III. Reward (vv. 28-33)
Jesus wants the standard of goodness to be defined by God.
GIve up your life and live wholly for me.
Sad, stunned, shocked, grieved.
I have the family of God. I have many brothers and sisters in this church. I have many mothers and fathers in this church.
When I travel to the Philippines, I have many homes I can choose from. It’s God’s airbnb. I can stay in First Baptist of Manila in Onyx, I can stay in SMO, I can stay in Antipolo, I can stay in a beautiful island in Ajuy.
Our church has a new family member in Madgascar and I’m sure our brother Faly would open his home to you if you desired to serve.
You gain the family of God! You get God, and His family! All around the world.
It is costly…with persecutions...
But Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat it. He says following him is worth it, it is rewarding, but it will be costly and require sacrifice.
Rich man in NT-Lidia, Joseph, Zachaeus, believers
Happy is he who counts the cost, and resolves, having once begun to walk in the narrow way, by God's grace never to turn aside.
Ryle, J. C.. J. C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels . GLH Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Blessing doesn’t come materially, but it also comes spiritually.
But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
You can be first in this world, but you can be last. Those who have nothing can have everything if they have Christ. Those who have everything in the world, will have nothing in the next if you don’t have Christ.
Christ reverses the values of the world to orient our lives around heaven.
This verse can also mean that Jesus is speaking to the disciples to keep them from being complacent.
You remember Paul, he was last of all, but yet he was first because of the grace of God.
We must be humble, thankful, and content, faithfully serving our Christ.
“He stands as a perpetual monument to the fact that if we have everything, but not have Christ, we ultimately have nothing.” Sinclair Ferguson
Summary:
Jesus unveiled the man’s heart. He was sincere, he was respectable, he was rich, he was religious, but utterly lost. Jesus, because he loved him, revealed the true state of his heart.
The test of whether he really wanted Jesus was whether or not he was willing to give it all up for Jesus.
Wealth can make you proud.
Wealth can keep you out of heaven.
Wealth can make you spiritually bankrupt.
But if Christ is truly your treasure because you have understand what he has achieved for you in bringing you to God, Jesus can make you humble, humble to receive Heaven, because you who were spiritually bankrupt were made rich because of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Free us from the love of money o Lord!
Jesus is helping the man redefine good.
You can be rich and lost. You can be religious and lost. You can be a religious leader and lost. You can be moral and respectful and lost.
The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Luke 18:22
And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Good is a relative term.
Jesus is a divine surgeon and spiritual doctor who knows the true heart diagnosis of this man’s superficial view of religion and superficial of God.
Following Christ demands all of you. Quarter Christian. Sunday Christian. 1/3 Christian.
Your achievements can keep you from Christ.
“Christians are people who know that their Christianity is impossible, a miracle—there is nothing natural about it, it flies in the face of all one’s merits.”
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Who is your God? God or gold? No one can serve two masters.
Good dog. Good kid. Good school. He had a superifical understanding of Jesus, the Law, and Heaven
He was rich, yet spiritually bankrupt.
Rich people were considered blessed by God.
Camels were largest animals at the time. It is easier for an elpephant to get through a wedding ring that it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
The Law’s function is to unmask self-righteousness.
THe lesson is for me!! I’m rich!
Who owns your life? Gold or God?
Comfortable Christianity: church going folk who give their ten percent, but still idolize the things of the world.
The Gospel of Mark 12. Riches and the Kingdom of God. Ch. 10:17–27
The inquirer’s idea of goodness was defined by human achievement. He undoubtedly regarded himself as “good” in the sense that he was confident that he had fulfilled the commandments from the time he first assumed their yoke as a very young man; now he hopes to discover from another “good” man what he can do to assure eternal life.
The test of the man’s true god and whether money had a hold on him was his willingness to give it all up.
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
The Gospel of Mark 12. Riches and the Kingdom of God. Ch. 10:17–27
“Eternal life,” “salvation,” or “entrance into the Kingdom” describe a single reality which must be bestowed as his gift to men.
“Your thoughts about money and your use of money are always an expression of the deepest treasures of your heart. Money will expose what you really value and what you truly serve. Money will be a means that you use to insert yourself into the middle of your world, or it will b e an expression of your constant awareness that you were put on earth to serve another.” Paul Tripp
“Your thoughts about money and your use of money are always an expression of the deepest treasures of your heart. Money will expose what you really value and what you truly serve. Money will be a means that you use to insert yourself into the middle of your world, or it will b e an expression of your constant awareness that you were put on earth to serve another.” Paul Tripp
May the Lord free us from the love of money and make us a thankful, content, patient, compassionate people who are willing to give generously to serve others.
The Gospel of Mark 13. The Rewards of Discipleship. Ch. 10:28–31
What he demanded was a total, radical commitment to himself, sustained in the act of following him faithfully.
You can have all this world, but give me Jesus
You can have all this world, but give me Jesus
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark Affluence (10:17–27)
‘Wealth’ is relative: even those who would consider themselves poor in modern Western society live at a level which would have been unimaginable to most of Jesus’ hearers, and remains so to many in other parts of the world today.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark Affluence (10:17–27)
Possessions, far from being the advantage which the world assumes, are in themselves an obstacle to entering God’s kingdom.
It is easier for an elephant to go through the hole of a wedding ring than a rich man to enter the kingdom.
He passed his rabbi entrance exams.
He climbed up the ladder in regards.
If I only work hard enough, my dreams come true. If only I work hard enough, I’ll gain eternal life.
Jesus loved him by wanting him to become a disciple, a follower.
Children had no resources and get heaven, this man has all the resources and does not get heaven.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark Discipleship and Possessions (10:17–31)
Anything that causes disciples to forget their poverty and childlikeness before God and that prevents them from following Jesus Christ—this, too, is a camel before the eye of a needle.
Riches provides a false security.
Riches provides a false security.
Jesus reverses the values of this world. Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, give me Jesus.
We make it too easy to follow Jesus. Jesus gives demands.
The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.
I never thought I would be a Pastor. But Jesus says Follow Me and Proclaim My Gospel. I took those words literally.
Unsaved people have a superficial understanding of Jesus, good, God, Law, the Gospel, and discipleship.
Following Jesus is free, hard, but rewarding and worth it.
Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Mark (Revised Edition) The Peril of Riches
The danger of possessions is that they fix a man’s thoughts and interests to this world.
The problem is not with possessions. The problem is when possessions possess you and master you.
Christian, pray for contentment.
Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Mark (Revised Edition) Christ is No Man’s Debtor
A man may have to sacrifice ties that are very dear in order to become a Christian, but when he does he becomes a member of a family and a brotherhood as wide as earth and heaven.
How am I investing my wealth in the kingdom? The pride, dangers, and example of riches.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eight: The Servant’s Paradoxes (Mark 10)
Money is a marvelous servant but a terrible master. If you possess money, be grateful and use it for God’s glory; but if money possesses you, beware! It is good to have the things that money can buy, provided you don’t lose the things that money cannot buy. The deceitfulness of riches had so choked the soil of this young man’s heart that he was unable to receive the good seed of the Word and be saved (Matt. 13:22). What a bitter harvest he would reap one day!
New Testament II: Mark (Revised) God’s Goodness Distinguished from Other Goods
AUGUSTINE: God, therefore, is uniquely good, and this he cannot lose. He is good. He is not good by sharing in any other good, because the good by which he is good is himself. But, when a finite human being is good, his goodness derives from God, because he cannot be his own good. All who become good do so through his Spirit. Our nature has been created to attain to him through acts of its own will. If we are to become good, it is important for us to receive and hold what he gives, who is good in himself. LETTER 153, TO MACEDONIUS.
Ryle, J. C.. J. C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels . GLH Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Worldly wealth is given us, not only as maintenance to bear our charges through this world, according to our place in it, but as talent, to be used and employed for the glory of our great Master in the world, who hath so ordered it, that the poor we should have always with us as his receivers.
“As you hold and use your money, you must constantly remind yourself that the holding and using of money are acts of worship” Tripp
“Your thoughts about money and your use of money are always an expression of the deepest treasures of your heart. Money will expose what you really value and what you truly serve. Money will be a means that you use to insert yourself into the middle of your world, or it will b e an expression of your constant awareness that you were put on earth to serve another.” Paul Tripp
How do you know money doesn’t rule your heart?
Your thankful, content, patient, compassionate, and serve others.
