Mark 10:23-25
Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
As I read this passage, I thought about summer activities – and Vacation Bible School. For many years, I took our three children to VBS every summer, where they learned about Jesus in a happy, crafts-and-activity-filled atmosphere, complete with the requisite Bible stories, games, “Bible School snacks” and camaraderie. At our church, an offering was collected each night – with a specific mission designated as the recipient. The boys were pitted against the girls in a competition to see who could bring the most money each evening.
I must tell you, this activity truly bothered me for several reasons. First, it threw me back to the days when I was a child, and money was quite tight in my family. It was a stretch to have a portion of my allowance to put in the “offering envelope” each Sunday – an activity that in my opinion was given far too much significance in relationship to our commitment to Jesus. Additionally, this activity upset Timothy terribly. He took the competition very seriously, and if the girls “won” by giving the most money on a set day, he would cry and declare, “We are just LOSERS…we’re LOSERS!” Clearly, our little guy did not internalize the intended message and mission of collecting this offering!
One more thing that concerned me was that while families were struggling just to make ends meet – a lot of parents were scraping together spare change so that their children appeared “rich enough” to contribute to this contest. One father of four lamented to me that by the time VBS ended, he was “in the red” for the week because of these nightly “donations.” Somehow, the lesson of giving our pennies, nickels and dimes for a specific mission or ministry of the church/community got lost in a competition to see which group of children could contribute more money – i.e., who was the richest!
This is one small example of how we have put too much emphasis on the wrong things – especially as Christians. Not only are we focused on acquiring material wealth – money and “things” – we also want to belong to the right groups, to shop at the best stores, eat at the finest restaurants, and take the best vacations. Trips to Disney World and annual visits to the beach have become status symbols for many. We are willing to compromise our values – and even overextend ourselves – to keep up appearances, fit in with our peers, and be seen as “rich” in the ways of the world. We are willing to join the more popular political party, laugh at off-color jokes, and nod in agreement when people are disparaged if it means that others will see us as part of their group.
Sadly, this is just as prevalent in the church as it is on the streets of any community. Therefore, Jesus tells us it is so hard for “the rich” to get into His Kingdom. When we focus more on what we have and whether we are acceptable to the “in crowd” rather than loving all others and serving them in the name of Jesus, we have missed the mark. Some of the “poorest” Christians in the world have done more for the Kingdom of Heaven than most billionaires will ever accomplish. Many humble, “poor” servants will be seated near the head of God’s Heavenly Table!
God has truly blessed me. I am more than comfortable and truly don’t have to worry about food, clothing, shelter and more. I am healthy and can afford medical care, which is a huge concern for many people my age. It is well within my reach to support missions and ministries as God directs. My relationship with Jesus deepens every day, and I am finding that I care more and more about what He thinks and asks of me – and far less about what the world says is important or popular. I am truly “rich” by many standards. But I don’t ever want this to be a hindrance in my pursuit of God’s Kingdom.
My prayer is that we become “rich” in the things that matter to God…that we follow the commands of Jesus Christ to “Love one another” and share the Good News of redemption by the blood of the cross. I pray that we would be more concerned with adding more entries in the Lamb’s Book of Life than making additions to our bank account or closets! I pray that serving Christ would never be a competition…that we would never pit one believer against another in any way.
Jesus is calling us to make sure that our “riches” are “Heavenly wealth” rather than earthly acquisitions. We have some work to do to get this right…and this is the perfect day to begin! Alleluia!
©2022 Debbie Robus
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