TEXT: Mark 10:17-27 & Timothy 6:17-19
Introduction:
The Rich Young Man’s story is found in all three Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, and Luke 18:18-23. Each of the writers tells the same story. The Rich Young Man wanted to be sure he would get eternal life so he asked what he could do. He said he had never broken any of the laws Jesus mentioned (Mark 10:19). Jesus lovingly however broke through the young man’s pride with a challenge that brought out his true motives. “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor.” The challenge exposed the barrier that could keep this young man out of the kingdom; his love for money.
Money represented his pride of accomplishment and self-effort. Ironically, his attitude made him unable to keep the first commandment – to let nothing be more important than God (Exodus 20:3 –“You shall have no other gods before me.”). He could not meet the one requirement Jesus gave – to turn his whole heart and life over to God. The Rich Young Man came to Jesus wondering what he could do; but left seeing what he was unable to do. What barriers are keeping you from turning your life over to Christ?
Value of Money (v.21):
What does your money mean to you? Money appears about 2, 000 times in the Bible indicating its criticality. Jesus wanted this young man to sell everything and give his money to the poor even though this does not mean that all believers should sell all their possessions. Most of his followers did not sell everything, although they used their possessions to save others. Instead, this story shows us that we must not let anything we have or desire to keep us from following Jesus.
We must remove all barriers to serving Him fully. If Jesus asked, could you give up your house, car, level of income, position on the ladder promotion? Your reaction to these questions may show your attitude toward money – whether it is your Servant or Master.
Jesus also said that it was very difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. This is true because the rich, with most of their basic needs met, often become self-reliant. Wealth tends to make one falsely independent and gives one a sense of false security; and can lead one into hurtful desires and selfishness (1Timothy 6:9-10). When the rich feel empty, they can buy something new to dull the pain that was meant to drive them to God. Their abundance and self-sufficiency become their deficiency. We should appreciate the fact that the person who has everything on earth can still lack what is most important – eternal life.
Disciples’ Reaction (v.26):
The disciples were amazed. Was wealth not a blessing (GIFT) from God - a reward for being good? This misconception is still common today. Let us note that it is not sinful to be rich, neither is it godly to be poor. No one can get into heaven by good honest efforts, neither by earning or paying for it.
If you get there, it is because you TRUST God and HE GET YOU THERE. Although many believers enjoy material prosperity many others live in hardship, poverty and penury (AfriMagic of Monday, 1st July, 2013 on National Quiz Competition – nanny’s daughter and oga madam’s daughter). Wealth is not a sign of faith or of partiality on God’s part.
Money and Wealth as Gift for Gift:
Money or Wealth is a GIFT from God to be used as a GIFT to others in need. Money and possessions or wealth are great and good things when obtained honestly and by earnest work. God has given wealthy Christians resources for ministry that other Christians do not possess.
Money and wealth can be used to help God’s work and the kingdom – to send out missionaries, to support the church, to share relief, and help the poor as Jesus taught us to do. But money and wealth can also become a problem if we are selfish, and want to hoard it, and use it only for ourselves. In fact, Jesus said that money can keep us out of the kingdom. With these resources, come the temptations and opportunities to misuse them.
Today many love their money and their possessions. They store up riches and are selfishly inclined. Others give their tithes, share with the needy, make worthwhile contributions and donations, and honour God in their giving. If we do our giving now in this life, Jesus said we will have treasure in heaven.
1Timothy 6:17-19 (Stewardship of Treasure):
In our Epistle reading of 1Timothy 6:17-19 Paul focuses on the Stewardship of Treasure. Here Paul is teaching about the believer’s stewardship with regards to money. A steward is a manager, not an owner. He is one who manages the property of another.
God is the owner and we are the managers of the various stewardships He has given. This includes the whole of life. We must recognize that all we have belongs to the Lord and has been given to us as trusts from God to invest for His purposes. We need to be willing to share our material possessions for the promotion of the Gospel and to help those in need. Good stewardship stems from recognizing our relationship to Jesus Chris and recognizing our partnership in Christ’s enterprise on earth. In any good partnership, the partners share equally in privileges and responsibilities, the assets and liabilities, and the blessings and as well burdens.
Ephesus was a wealthy city and Ephesian church had probably many wealthy members. Paul advised Timothy to deal with any potential problems by teaching that having riches carries great responsibilities. It also helps the Christians in Ephesus to put the subject of money and wealth in proper perspective. It is sin to love money more than God. However, it is not sin to possess it, rather having it, presents a great opportunity to help God’s people and further advance His kingdom in the world. However, we must not be arrogant or placed our confidence upon the uncertainty of riches but on God who richly supplies Christians with all things to enjoy.
Wealthy Christians should not feel guilty because they are wealthy, particularly if they have become wealthy legitimately, rather they should "enjoy" the benefits of their wealth. They should realise though that “to whom much is given much is demanded and expected.”
Those who have money must be generous, and should not be arrogant just because they have a lot to give. The rich should view their money as God's Gift to accomplish good deeds. Rather than enjoying a reputation for having much money therefore, they should cultivate a reputation for being rich in good deeds. They should also be open-handed, ready and willing to share with others generously what God had given them. By doing so, they would be ensuring that the Lord would reward them for their faithful stewardship when they stood before Him (cf. Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:33- 34; 18:22). Moreover in so doing they would experience the fullness of their eternal life (cf. v. 12).
The rich Christian should cultivate the joy that comes from laying up treasure in heaven by investing his or her life and wealth in what will endure forever. Furthermore since everything we have is a gift from God (1Timothy 6:17), we can enjoy everything. The rich should be "ready to share" (v. 18) as the Lord directed. It is possible that God will lead one person to do one thing with his or her money and another person something else (cf. John 21:22).
Conclusion:
They must however be careful not to put their hope in money instead of in the living God for their security. We must note though that even if we do not have material wealth, we can be rich in good deeds. No matter how poor we think we are, we have something to share with someone, and something to use for the furtherance of God’s kingdom here on earth.
Finally, bear in mind that material wealth can bind and restrain us to this earth unless we guard our hearts and set our treasure on God and his everlasting kingdom. Where is your treasure?
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