Amos 5:6-7, 10-15      Psalm 90:12-17                        Hebrews 4:12-16         Mark 10:17-31

Last Sunday I announced we would have a representative here from Gideon’s International to speak on their mission – and we do, Mr. Jim Hullet will speak to you immediately after I say a word or two about today’s scriptures.  I promise to be brief, but wish to say a few words as food for thought on what Jesus said to the man who approached him wanting to know what he needed to inherit eternal life. 

Jesus first instructs him to keep the commandments, for the commandments are rules for living in community.  The man, however, reports he has done all these things – yet, still he asks the question.  Why?  Is it possible that to follow God’s laws is not enough?  In this passage, it says, “Jesus, looking at him, loved him.”  Jesus looks at him, looks into his heart and knows.  It is not enough to do the right thing; we must care about what we are doing.  If we love our possessions more than people, simply giving of our treasurer is not enough.  We must care more about people than we do our things.  When Jesus realized the man wanted to do good, but lacked conviction, Jesus said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  The man’s possessions means more to him than his spiritual life, therefore, Jesus challenges him to let go of that which is holding him back from becoming one of Christ’s followers.  Jesus then explains to his disciples the enormous challenge people with wealth face: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  The point is, the more we have, the more difficult it is to put others first, to put God first.  Possessions have a tendency to own us, rather than the other way round. 

As we approach this year’s stewardship drive, remember it is just not about the money.  Though money is important, stewardship is about our relationship to God and our relationship to our possessions.  The phrase, “follow the money” applies to our priorities in life.  Once we meet our basic needs for food, clothing, transportation, health care and shelter, we spend our money on that which we value the most.  What is it, that we value?