Run Down the Aisle...

I have recently been stuck on the story of the rich young ruler. This degraded Biblical character is categorized by Christians as a down right example of foolishness. The young ruler can represent many things we see today. For example, selfishness, greed, the destructiveness of the soul for money, not wanting to submit to a higher power or calling, etc. (you add your own here).

Funny thing about this "poor: soul is how he is judged by Christians rather than used to examine our own lives. Lets replay the scene....

MARK 10
"17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

19"You know the commandments, 'DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, Do not defraud, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.'"

20 And he said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up."

21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

23 And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, "How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!"


WOW! All I have to say is we need to thank God that Jesus interceded for us and we don't have to work our way into heaven! What a calling from Jesus! The first thing to notice is how the man's thought he was acting right by kneeling before a rabbi and ask for his yoke (truth/teaching); much like we thing that just because we tithe or go to church we are doing right. While this looked great to everyone watching, boy was he surprised by Jesus' answer.

How awesome that Jesus first felt love for this "poor" (well at least in spirit) guy before he judged him. Do you feel the same way toward the rich young ruler? I don't think I need to continue with my point but it is obvious that this is a hard, no an impossible answer for Christians today to accept. Jesus wants the rich to sell everything and give it to the poor? Why, because we love our stuff? Because it binds us from being available to His call on our lives?

I want to share a quote from Leonard Ravenhill's book "Why Revival Tarries" as he talks about the problem with the Church in 1959!!....

"We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and pay-ers, few pray-ers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferes, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters."

The Christian church must see that we, not unlike the rich young ruler, are paying our way to build happiness in the church and with God. Lets stop giving our money to our entertainment and give it to the poor. Our community and God need us to reach the places no one wants to go. I'll leave you with a question and the rest is between you and the Great Provider.



Do you have on hand in a pot of gold and the other in God's sight?