March 4, 2010

“Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

This passage is real problem. Jesus had taught the all one has to do to receive eternal life is to believe. Moral attainment and obedience are not the way to be saved. Here Jesus tells the young man about the ten commandments and that he must obey them. Furthermore does Jesus actually teach that I must become poor to be saved?

What gives?

Probably this young guy sees himself as good and not as a sinner, so the message that your sins are forgiven is not good news, rather simply irrelevant information. (actually Paul felt the same way about himself before meeting Jesus). Furthermore this young man needs to learn not only to trust God, but also to stop trusting other things for his salvation. In short we learn that to be saved we must not repent only from outward sin, but rather from a deeper idolatrous heart.

Of course the disciples are shocked by this teaching and wonder about themselves. Finally Jesus teaches that when we give up our wealth for his sake we do get wealth back, typically in a different form. Our material and emotional needs will be met . . . if we loose family members we a get a new spiritual family. . . . .if we loose material security, we gain spiritual security.

Test: What are some signs that money is too important to you? Try these: (1) Envy. Do
you find yourself strongly resenting people who have a lot of money? (2) Anxiety. Do
you worry a lot about money? (3) Bias. Do you have a clear bias toward people with
money? Do you prefer them as friends? (4) Spender or miser. Are you either too prone
to shop and buy things in order to feel good? Or, on the other hand, are you almost
miserly? All these are signs that money and wealth has too much spiritual influence in your heart.