The last 2 times we read through the New testament and read Mark chapter 10, we focused on what Jesus meant when he said people had to receive the kingdom of heaven like a child to be saved, and on the story of blind Bartimaeus. Today, I want us to treat Jesus' encounter with the rich man and what lessons to take from that story.
This rich man came to Jesus and wanted to know what he needed to do to guarantee him inheriting eternal life. Let's pick it up from Jesus' response;
"But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 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.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Mark 10:19-22 NLT.
Now, let's reason together. Is Jesus saying rich people cannot follow him by asking him to sell all his possessions before coming to follow? I don't think so, several rich people followed Jesus, one of his apostles; Matthew was a rich man. What I believe Jesus was addressing here by asking him to sell his possessions is the possibility of his wealth tempting him in the future to go back to his old life. Jesus was asking him to burn that bridge because the man was in love with his money.
The problem therefor was not the wealth but the love for it.
"Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, 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!”
Mark 10:23-25 NLT.
It is impossible to love and serve your wealth and be able to obey God, it is just not possible.
