January 5th, 2021
Text: Mark 10:23
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ (NRSV)
One of the things that has always puzzled me are those who propose the idea that being financially successful in this world is a sign of God’s preference toward that one. And, yet, when you look carefully at Jesus’ teachings and warnings, it is clear that those who are successful by the standards of the kingdom of this world, will be found to have the most difficult time entering into the Kingdom of God.
I do not believe that the fact a person has become financially successful actually has anything to do with their salvation. I believe that it is the attitude one has towards those finances that makes the difference. When what is important to the individual is the accumulation of wealth, then there is a problem.
Paul says it this way, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10). A focus on money often removes our focus on the others whom God loves. A focus on money often removes our focus on God. Jesus says it this way, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24).
There is no sin in being successful by the standards of this world. In fact, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, suggested that a good disciple of Jesus Christ will make all the money they can (as long as it is by ethical and legal means), save all the money they can (be frugal a don’t buy what you don’t absolutely need), and give away all the money they can (redistributing their wealth so that those who are in need will be cared for).
The real question becomes, where is your heart?
Pray with me:
God of all creation, remind me that all I have belongs not to me, but to you. As a steward of what you have created, may I be faithful in using what is available to me in ways that provide loving care to all. AMEN.
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ (NRSV)
One of the things that has always puzzled me are those who propose the idea that being financially successful in this world is a sign of God’s preference toward that one. And, yet, when you look carefully at Jesus’ teachings and warnings, it is clear that those who are successful by the standards of the kingdom of this world, will be found to have the most difficult time entering into the Kingdom of God.
I do not believe that the fact a person has become financially successful actually has anything to do with their salvation. I believe that it is the attitude one has towards those finances that makes the difference. When what is important to the individual is the accumulation of wealth, then there is a problem.
Paul says it this way, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10). A focus on money often removes our focus on the others whom God loves. A focus on money often removes our focus on God. Jesus says it this way, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24).
There is no sin in being successful by the standards of this world. In fact, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, suggested that a good disciple of Jesus Christ will make all the money they can (as long as it is by ethical and legal means), save all the money they can (be frugal a don’t buy what you don’t absolutely need), and give away all the money they can (redistributing their wealth so that those who are in need will be cared for).
The real question becomes, where is your heart?
Pray with me:
God of all creation, remind me that all I have belongs not to me, but to you. As a steward of what you have created, may I be faithful in using what is available to me in ways that provide loving care to all. AMEN.
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