The host of a TV quiz show said, “Come up with the missing word at the end of the phrase and spell it correctly, and you’ll win our grand-prize trip to Europe. Are you ready? The phrase is, ‘Old MacDonald had a____.’ And remember, you must spell the missing word.”
The contestant said, “Old MacDonald had a farm.” “All right,” said the emcee, “what you have to do now is spell the word and you win our super-deluxe trip to Europe.”
“That’s easy,” said the contestant. “E-I-E-I-O.” Oops!
We may laugh at this story, but it illustrates how close we can be to receiving God’s blessings, and yet so far away. The rich young man in Mark 10 provides a perfect example of someone in this condition.
We read in Mark 10:17 that he was an earnest seeker. He came running up to Jesus and knelt down. He was undeterred by the opposition of the “religious leader” class he belonged to (Luke 18:18). Next, we find that he had been obeying the commandments to a “T” since his youth. This man had maintained impeccable moral character—even through all the temptations of youth!
Yet he still lacked one thing: He loved riches more than he loved God (Mark 10:22). Jesus had told him that he needed to surrender his all, out of love for God. The rich young man needed to deny himself and love God first and foremost by giving away his money.
Mark records the man’s tragic choice. He departed, still possessing his earthly riches, but lacking eternal treasure.
Have you been putting your faith in God or in your material possessions? Unless you’ve made a personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ—surrendering your all to Him—you’re close, yet far away from Him.
More:
Not everyone who calls out to Me, “Lord! Lord!” will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter (Matthew 7:21).
Next:
What keeps you from loving God first and foremost? What will you surrender to Him today?
ROSHAN on September 18, 2010 at 1:34 am
Dear Poh and everybody at ODJ,
That calls for a very close introspection for everyone involved in the gospel work too. Has the gospel become commercialized in this modern world? Everyone seeks Christ for a reason and forgets him later. Gospel workers becomes materially rich by year long sermons and preaching and the church becomes fatter through their weekly offerings. Does the modern day church give in return to the poor in their church? Do they even recognize the needs of its members?Im ashamed when I think about the rich preachers and the poor listeners!!!
nlpkwt on September 18, 2010 at 12:58 pm
I agree wholeheartedly.
Soldier4Christ on September 18, 2010 at 9:12 am
Roshan, I can’t speak for all churches but my church the Salvation Army does a lot for not only the communities that it serves but for the congregation as well. As far as the question about the Gospel, I don’t think that it is commercialized but there are people that try and use ” Christianity ” in order to profit for themselves, not unlike the commercialization of Christmas. And I have to say that not everyone seeks Jesus for a reason and then forgets Him later, that is a broad generalization. There are some of us who have a relationship with Jesus, He is our Lord and Savior. I do believe that there are many who attend church on a weekly basis and are good people that have not yet been saved though and many others that attend only certain times of the year. There is religion which some people have and then there is Christianity which we all need.
little light on September 18, 2010 at 5:56 pm
The Lord Jesus Christ was very clear when He said you cannot serve God and money.(Mathew 6 : 24). So if in our hearts there is this desire for riches, we have to repent and seek the Lord for victory in this field and love Him with all our heart. The Lord cares for us more than an earthly loving father and He wants the best for us, and He will give us all we need when we seek Him first. Those needs will be added to us without our efforts, but the question is where is your heart? We are so steeped in this worldly lust for money, power, honour of men, seen even among those who work for the Lord, Oh there is so much to repent! Our God sees us through and through