What About That Rich Young Man?

Taking bits and pieces of information and then forming an opinion based on this inadequate information is foolish at best. Equipped with only a limited understanding, yet drawing conclusions from what little is known is disastrous! Yet, this is exactly what people who do not regularly read and study the scriptures do. Some folks make public pronouncements, even write books using erroneous information. A bit of truth here, a bit of scripture pulled out to make a point there, that is what is used. It is essential to use the whole counsel of God, that is, use scripture to back up scripture. An example can be found in Revelation where the lamp stands are spoken of and then explained if you only read on. The meanings behind the parables of Jesus were often revealed to the apostles, and to us, so we can understand and learn the truths Jesus was teaching by reading them all the way through. I want us to look at the scripture about the rich, young man found in Mark 10: 17-25. If you look up “eye of the needle” on the Internet, you will find that several articles say these Bible verses are a criticism against being rich. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although rich people may trust in their riches to get them through life, money and the things it buys are powerless to make anyone right with God or get them to heaven. So a rich person going to heaven, given that he trusts in his riches to help him earn his way, would be like trying to get a camel through a needle’s eye. (By the way, there is no evidence of there ever being a gate made too small in the walls of Jerusalem that a camel had to squeeze through it without its baggage and saddle.) The walls and their gates were made to specific plans and no archaeological evidence shows such a gate. This young man had obeyed the Law of Moses since he was a boy and figured he would have Jesus’ approval. But, when he was told he lacked one thing and was advised to part with his possessions, he went away sad and, no doubt, disappointed. What he lacked was recognition of his need for God Himself. This young man had no need for what Jesus had to offer because he believed in his own ability to make himself right with God. However, having read scripture, we know there is none righteous, not one, and we also know the heart of man is incredibly wicked! Those who avail themselves of the whole counsel of God understand that Jesus is the Way the Father has provided and only through Him are we made righteous (right with God).On our best day, with our finest efforts, we fall short. We need God! It is not our riches or money and possessions that keep us from a saving relationship with God, but our own self-righteous attitudes when it comes to our being able to “earn” heaven. While it is true that love of money is the root of all evil, that is NOT what this story was about. Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes we are to be “poor in spirit to inherit the kingdom of God.” He did NOT say we have to have no money, live in poverty, though many do live in squalor, He said we have to be poor, have poverty, and be needy in our spirits. We must recognize our need for God. Here we are then, desperate beyond belief because we have failed again to be consistent in doing what is right. Where do we turn? Will money help us? Will possessions give us comfort? Definitely not! Come to Jesus wherever you are in life. Acknowledge your spiritual poverty, repent of your sins and you will have the blessed righteousness of Christ and be an heir to the Kingdom of God. Now is the acceptable time! Doma