JULY 29, 2023 – SELL EVERYTHING

READ: Mark 10:17-27: ….”How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” … It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle … “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to die. Now a young man approaches him, who is very wealthy. He respects Jesus and asks an important question: Good teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life? Jesus corrects him: does he know what he is saying? Only God is truly good. Nevertheless, Jesus addresses his question: let him test himself against the law. Whether he is sincere before God will be evident in his attitude toward his neighbor. Jesus then mentions the commandments of the second table. 

The young man comes across as honest and sincere. Jesus sees that he takes God’s law seriously and loves him. But has he understood the deep meaning of God’s law? And does he realize how much he falls short in keeping the law?

To help him on the path to eternal life, Jesus says: one thing you lack. He needs the sacrifice of love where he gives his received gifts to others. This shows that you are not attached to them and that they do not control you. This concerned his wealth. Only when you give away much of what you have to others, without expecting anything in return, do you show what true love is. Then you fathom the depth of the law. This does not obligate a Christian to poverty, but it does require detachment from serving Mammon and a willingness to use  your gifts to assist your neighbor. 

The disciples must also realize that being attached to wealth hinders entering the Kingdom. But God, in His omnipotence, can change hearts so that there is repentance and following Jesus on the path to His Kingdom.

What do you want to do with wealth?

Singing: Ps. 49:4