Mark 10:17-22

Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, recently related in a New York Times article the sad story of one of his patients.

The man worked for years in the food industry with a modest salary and humble lifestyle. Then he won the lottery. Overnight, his life changed. He quit his job and moved into a large house in a gated community.

The man sat across from Dr. Murthy and dolefully declared, “Winning the lottery was one of the worst things that ever happened to me.” Wealthy but alone, this once vivacious, social man no longer knew his neighbors and had lost touch with his former co-workers. He soon developed high blood pressure and diabetes.”

This story reminds us of the Bible narrative in today’s text.

Apparently this event in Jesus’ ministry was so important that the Holy Spirit had not only Mark record it, but also Matthew and Luke. All three combined tell us that this man who came to Jesus was a ruler. He was rich. And young. He had so much potential, yet he had a problem that came between him and Jesus.

The narrative began on a good note. He came running to Jesus. Bowed at his feet. And showed an interest in spiritual matters. “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

Unlike so many in Jesus’ day, as well as in our time, he recognized that Jesus held the answer to his query. He seemingly came to Christ with the right attitude and the proper perspective. We sense an eagerness and enthusiasm in this encounter. Even Jesus’ initial response to keep the commandments, six of which he enumerated, elicited positive response.

“All these things I have kept from my youth,” he confidently replied.

“What lack I yet?” He then asked.

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me,” Jesus requested.

All three texts tell us that his demeanor quickly changed. The young man became “very sorrowful.” He turned away and left. You can almost see his shoulders slumped, his sad countenance, and halting gait, as he is no longer running, but lumbering along in anguish.

With all of his fine qualities, this young man had an idol problem. His money was more important than his Master. His earthly possession were valued more highly than spiritual treasures. His wealth, though it could have been used for good and for God, became a stumbling block.

In fact, to be more specific, it wasn’t the wealth itself that was wrong, but his attitude toward it. His love of it. And his unwillingness to part with it to put Christ first in his life.

Warren Wiersbe was right when wrote, “Money is a marvelous servant but a terrible master. If you possess money, be grateful and use it for God’s glory, but if money possesses you, beware! It is good to have the things that money can buy, provided you don’t lose the things that money cannot buy.”

The late Rich DeVos, founder of Amway and owner of the Orlando Magic basketball team, was estimated to be worth about $6 Billion at his death. Yet, he once warned in his book Believe! about the limitations of money.

“Money cannot buy peace of mind. It cannot heal ruptured relationships, or build meaning into a life that has none. It cannot relieve guilt or speak to the great agonies of the broken heart. No one knows this better than the man with money.”

Rich continued to remind us that material possessions are a gift from God that they can only bring real happiness when we worship God and use our prosperity to serve Him and our fellow man.

Fred Smith once observed, “Money is a means, made good or bad by our choice of option.” The rich young ruler made a poor choice. He prioritized his possessions over Him who blessed him with them in the first place. Furthermore, it’s good to remember it’s not the amount of money we possess, but our attitude toward it. A man may not be rich, but still make money his god.

An unknown author offered this insight. “Money measures men–their capacity and their consecration. In some instances money masters men. They become its slaves. In many instances money multiplies men. Through the ministry of the money he earns and gives, a Christian labors on every continent, preaches in a thousand pulpits and trains tomorrow’s leaders. He ministers to multitudes in the name of Christ.

Finally, this quip from Henry Fielding serves as a stern reminder: “Make money your god, and it will plague you like the devil.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman