I remember many years ago, my grandfather said to me, "always make up your own mind. Never take advice from anybody!"
So I ignored him!!!
Anyway ... as I was saying before I was interrupted by my own joke ... isn't it annoying when someone asks for your advice and then ignores it altogether?
Why
do they do this? Is it because your advice is wrong, or bad? Or could
it be that it is good advice but it is inconvenient for them to follow
it? It just does not fit in with their plans, and what they really
wanted was your approval to what they had on their mind; not your advice
really.
Jesus had a similar problem one day.
He was approached by a rich young man who asked Him “what must I do to receive eternal life?”
Jesus advised him to sell all he has and to give the money to the poor; and then to come and follow Jesus.
On hearing this the man went away very sad; he was not willing to follow the advice given.
Let’s pause here for a minute and reflect. What would you have done?
Let’s
assume God spoke to you right now, in a dream, or a vision, and you
were certain it was Him speaking. Just as certain as Abraham, Moses,
Noah, Mary and Joseph were when God spoke to them. You know where I’m
getting to …
And God asked you to sell everything and give it to
the poor, and become a missionary or a volunteer helper somewhere far
off your community.
Would you be able to do it? Would you leave
your spouse and family behind and follow Jesus wherever He asks you to
go? Would you sell off everything you have, give up your job, leaving
your children with nothing; and moved on to a new life?
On
reflection, perhaps we sympathise a little with the rich man. For we
know not whether he had a family, friends and servants who relied on him
– although we can assume he had.
Jesus then went on to say: “I
repeat: it is much harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God
than a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” Matthew 19:24.
So what is His message here?
Is Jesus condemning wealth? Is it wrong to work hard and amass a fortune? Of course not.
Jesus, knowing the rich man’s heart, is teaching us wealth with responsibility.
He
is saying that those fortunate enough to have wealth have a duty to
consider those around them who are less well off than themselves, and to
help them as best they can.
Jesus makes this point most dramatically in the story about the rich man and Lazarus. It is worth reading in Luke 16:19.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteNot all bible stories can be projected on life nowadays.
But it certainly tells us a lesson about 'greed'.
Guess we did round off our career in a way that Jesus would have done, going to the poor countries for teaching them to get a better yield/quality/income.
There are lots of consultants but they're mostly tied to a company selling equipment or even turn-key projects. Once that is accomplished, they mostly vanish and let them fend for themselves.
The very same for our book, it is written with ALL countries in mind and in our heart we even strive more for the underdog than those at the top.
We had no Pay Master, we wrote from the heart to the masses.
Hugs,
Mariette
Thank you and Pieter for all your good charitable works, Mariette; also your work with those suffering from leprosy.
DeleteGod bless always both of you and reward you greatly.
Thank you Victor and we feel RICH inside in our hearts; that is far more important than cold 'other' riches...
Delete...riches and wealth can have so many meanings.
ReplyDeleteYes that's true, and we should share our good fortunes.
DeleteGod bless, Tom.
You should share whatever gift you have with others, it doesn't have to be money.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
DeleteGod bless, Bill.
Some of the richest people are the poorest and the poorest are the richest.
ReplyDeleteYes, I understand.
DeleteGod bless, Happyone.
I am not a rich man and I would not give up all and follow, for I would know, this Jesus could be from Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteI have read that the eye of the needle was an entrance to a temple that was large enough for a camel, but a tight squeeze, not an actual eye of an actual needle.
That's possibly true, JoeH; either the name of a gate at the temple, or a passage through the mountains where you had to unload the camel of what it was carrying, get it through the tight gap, then load it up again.
DeleteGod bless.
Oops, that should have said "for all I might know..." bad joke made even worse by mistake.
DeleteI understood what you meant to say, JoeH.
DeleteGod bless.
Thanks for the reminder to stop my busyness and take stock of what's really important.
ReplyDeleteA reminder which we all need, Kathy.
DeleteGod bless you.
Another good illustration of 'Thy will be done'! I'm all abotu sharing. But to give it all up? Hard questions, for sure.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, Jesus used to exaggerate a little to make His point, Mevely. I doubt He meant the rich man should sell everything and leave his wife and family destitute. Jesus knew that in his heart, this man was attracted to riches more than anything else in his life. Jesus tried to shake that attitude in the man's consciousness.
DeleteGod bless always.
Would I be able to give up everything and live the life of a missionary? No I would not. But by helping others and doing good with what I have, surely I would earn a place in heaven.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing we can do to earn a place in Heaven, River. The invitation to enter Heaven is open to all. What we have to do is accept God and His Son Jesus.
Delete"Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do what my Father in Heaven wants them to do." Matthew 7:21.
God bless.
Pure and simple, it's more blessed to give than to receive. There's no way to outgive G-d, so when He says give, i do, and i've never had a reason to regret it.
ReplyDeleteWise words, Mimi. Thank you.
DeleteGod bless you.