An Open Invitation to Covenant Living

A rich man kneeled before Jesus calling Him Good Master, inquired of Him, what shall I do to inherit eternal life. Jesus reminded him of the laws he already knew, the second half of the ten commandments. Jesus already knew this man's heart and pointed out his flaws and the rich man responded, I have been keeping these commandments since I was a youth. Then Jesus, beholding him loved him, and said, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasures in heaven. The rich man opted out. We are to understand that the rich man had not surrendered himself totally to God, in a child-like manner. Jesus then used this as a teachable moment, telling the disciples how hard it will be for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. Wealth can get in the way of ones moral and spiritual health when we neglect to put Christ first, above all else. Wealth can enslave us and blind us to our Christian duties. We can not put our trust in wealth, we must put our trust in God, however no man can save himself, God saves. These points are from lesson 8, for October 25, 2009, entitled, Opting Out, from Mark 10:17-31.