Dceived By Riches

**fennywest** Wed 18 Aug 2010, 7:42 am

Mark 10:17-23 (New International Version)
The Rich Young Man
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'[a]"
20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

The facts
1. Rich Youngman
2. Concerned about eternity
3. Ran to Jesus in his concern
4. Called Jesus, Good Teacher’
5. ‘Only God is truly good was Jesus’ response.
6. The rich young man asked the right question everyone should ask: ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’
7. He was self righteous; had blind spot that only Jesus could see.

8. He did not just have property but his property and wealth had him.
9. He had an opportunity to be a disciple but his wealth was the stumbling block.

Lessons

1. We should all be concerned about our lives hereafter like the rich young man.
2. We all have blind spots that only God can see; we may deceive others around us but we cannot deceive God.

3. No matter how good we think we are, all our righteousness is like a filthy rag before God. ‘There is none righteous, no, not even one.’ No one can justify themselves by there righteousness. ‘Only God is truly good.’ We may compare ourselves with one of the worst in society and feel good about ourselves but by God’s standards we are rotten, bankrupt, empty, worthless, full of blemish, spots and wrinkles; – badly stained, we are lost, doomed, dead, in desperate need. We are empty, wretched, filthy, sinful, separated from God, dead in our sins and trespasses.
4. Unless we see ourselves from God’s eyes we cannot be saved. We open the door to hell.
5. God is not against riches but more often that not, riches can be obstacle in our relationship with God unless God is put in His rightful place- on the throne of our heart. This man’s countenance fell when he was told to go and sell all his possession and come and follow Jesus. And because he was enamored with his wealth; wedded to his wealth; glued to his gold; rapped around his riches; a prisoner to his property he traded eternity for the pleasures of the present.
6. Discipleship is costly; you have to pay a price of commitment, total devotion, loyalty, humility, self denial; the Master must master you; be Lord of everything you are and own. He is not Lord at all unless He is Lord of ALL.
7. What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? What can a man give in exchange of his soul? Nothing!