One of the greatest temptations this church will face is the challenge of complacency. We have seen the favour of God over this church family and our lives, and we are doing OK. But OK can be a dangerous place to be in.
17 As 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.19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus 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.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Mark 10:17-22
This young rich ruler was by no means a bad guy. In fact, he was devout, loved God, and desired to follow Jesus! Yet, when Jesus told him to follow Him, he walked away. Although we often think of ourselves as the disciples, I see a lot of myself in the rich young ruler. And it terrifies me.
Let’s try to do something as you read:
I want you to think of one of your favourite blessings over your life! For this example, I will use a dream job, but you can use anything (children, husband, wife, house, finances, etc.)
Now open your hand and stretch out your fingers, palm side up.
God puts in the palm of your hand an amazing gift; he provides a job you have been praying for. Picture that gift in the palm of your hand.
The starting salary is $100,000! It pays way more than your previous work, and the salary is great! Now start to close your thumb over your palm.
This company offers amazing benefits: a strong extended healthcare plan where you can get massages, physiotherapy, dental, medical, anything you need! Now start to close your index finger over your palm.
The work life balance is great! You get along with your co-workers, no overtime necessary, free lunches on Wednesdays! Now start to close your middle finger over your palm.
This company vacation policy is amazing! It starts with 4 weeks vacation and 10 personal days with unlimited sick days! Now start to close your ring finger over your palm.
The workplace is amazingly flexible. You can work from home, the office is close to you, you barely have to commute, and you can work in your pyjamas all week! Now start to close your pinky finger over your palm.
Look at your hand now. Where is that gift?
What we once received with this open palm has now become a solid fist. This gift that the Lord has given me – I don’t want to lose it – is now something I want to hang onto for dear life. This gift is so good – this job is perfect, it is everything I asked for – that I want it! You have given it to me, so it is mine!
But when we close our hand on the gifts the Lord has given us and we value it more than God, it becomes an IDOL. God is a jealous God and this jealous God does not want any idols before Him.
The rich young man walked away from Jesus because the gifts he had were too good to let go. The good things made him complacent.
LifeSpring, as a church family and as individuals, we are blessed with so many gifts. But may the Scripture remind us that gifts can be idols. May our hunger for Him always be greater than just the blessings. Never forget the blessor.
Amen.