ON YOUR MARK: WEEK 10 DAY 2
Mark 10:23-31
23 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!” 24 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! 25 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.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 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, 30 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. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.””
When it comes to money, and being wealthy, a couple of factors might help us have the right perspective. First, the average annual global income is $3,358. Second, you don’t have to be rich to be a lover of money, so this passage is for all of us.
So, is being rich bad? The Bible says that, “The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). People are often quick to point out it is the LOVE of money that is the root, not money itself. This is a valid point, but I also think it is a quick comeback that keeps us from sitting in Jesus’ teaching long enough to be discipled by it. Jesus says that it is difficult for the wealthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said this because we are supposed to be Kingdom minded and money has a way of keeping us worldly minded. Remember the parable of the sower, back in Mark chapter 4?
Mark 4:18-19
“18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”
Examine your heart today. If you find that worries about money are overwhelming you, or you think money is the answer to all your problems, you might be in a dangerous spot. Confess this to God and ask Him to help you trust in Him, and refocus your heart on His Kingdom.
Read these words from 1 Timothy 6:10 again:
10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.