That Doesn't Compute

Text: Luke 18:18-30

The subject of money has been quite prominent in the encounters between Jesus and his audience, especially when the audience specifically includes the elite members of the religious establishment. It wasn't the position these men held that caused friction with Jesus; rather, it was the love of money they had fallen into which showed that their hearts had strayed from the first things of their appointed status.

In today's text, however, we learn that even the disciples of Jesus had adopted one of the most dangerous attitudes toward money that anyone could hold. It is this: that monetary wealth is the sign of God's favor. We've probably heard the story many times. A wealthy religious leader asks Jesus for the key to eternal life, claims to have followed the commandments since his youth, yet still is unsatisfied. Upon hearing this, Jesus tells him to liquidate his wealth, give it away, and follow him. When the man sadly walks away instead, Jesus stuns his followers by exclaiming the difficulty of being rich and entering the kingdom of God. Yes, he stunned them with these words. If anyone was sure to be saved, it would be the wealthy person who followed the commandments; and if that can't be counted on, who, indeed can be saved?

No matter how many times we hear it, the idea of leaving, rather than accumulating the riches of life in order to follow Jesus doesn't always sink in. We go out of our way at times to soften the blow of the Lord's words here. We are sure that Jesus didn't mean what he said literally, that there is a spiritual meaning which overrides the straight-forward sense of his statement. It IS hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom; it's not impossible, but only because God does the impossible, not because the demands have been lowered.

There is encouragement offered to Peter and to each one who has truly lost the treasures of this life in order to follow Jesus. That encouragement comes in the form of a promise that nothing we leave behind to follow the kingdom will go without notice and without repayment. Many Christians have learned this truth, finding more friends and brothers and sisters than they ever imagined, and counting it as immeasurable wealth. And that's just the beginning.

Is there anything Jesus is asking for from you which constitutes the one thing that we lack? If so, you'll be happier without it than you are with it.