Page 5 - Good News November 2010 paper

n the Sermon on the Mount very basis of this young man's wealth the purpose of our lives.
Jesus calls the poor in spirit security. He failed to under- Laying up treasures on earth is
Iblessed. Because they stand that he would be far more an insecure investment and
recognise their "impoverished secure if he followed Jesus although Jesus never said that
spirits" they are motivated to with all his heart (Matt. 6:33). it is wrong to accumulate
respond to Christ's call to Jesus did not call us to abso- wealth, He encouraged His
follow Him. lute poverty and He does not disciples to store up treasures
This is in sharp contrast to the call all of us to sell all and give it in heaven. Our focus should
rich young man in Matthew 19 to the poor. He does demand always be on eternal values.
who could not recognise that however, that we do not regard Possessions may capture the
he would be poverty-stricken wealth as our reason for living heart but they cannot nourish
without Christ. but that we live for Christ alone. the soul. If we make wealth the
When he asked Jesus how to Jesus knew that the love of focus of our lives it will only
find eternal life, Christ challen- wealth is very dangerous result in deep discontent.
ged him to do one more thing: because it prevents us from Jesus warns us about this. He
"…go, sell your possessions making a total commitment to calls us to abandon all things
and give to the poor… then Christ. We need to understand for Him and to commit all things
come, follow Me." (Matt. 19:21). that money and possessions to Him. He pointed out that full devotion, with our entire
Sadly, he was unwilling to provide a false security. Our there is no such thing as lasting will and all of our resources, He
follow Christ if it meant parting focus should be on God and His material security. would provide us with all we
with his possessions. righteousness. Christ assured us in Matthew would ever need in this life!
Material possessions were the Jesus warns against making 6:25-34 that if we serve God in - Now, August 2010