What Has Power in Your Life?

“As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'" He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.” From Mark 10:17-31

This story of a man with many possessions is familiar to us. Surely, it is about wealth, but it is also a story about calling. It's unlike other call stories in the gospels. When we think of call, we think of disciples dropping their nets and immediately following. But this is a story of a call not answered, at least in this moment.

I suspect many of can relate to his response. If Jesus walked by and told us to sell everything and leave behind everyone, most of us might need a few more minutes before continuing along with him. We are rooted and connected to people and things that give us security and comfort.

I think this is partly why Jesus spends so much time talking about money. He realizes its power over us and wants us to be free from its tyranny. Money can corrupt us, fill us with anxiety, keep us from transformation, and create tension in our closest relationships. Its power is so profound in our culture that the church often feels awkward about raising the subject. 

Our relationship to money and its power can only change if we first look at it with some intention. Given our culture, it is quite unlikely that any of us, myself included, can answer that money has no power in our lives. It may not have much to do with what we have in the way of possessions from an objective point of view. I know those, with very little, who are living without fear, and I have met those with more than I can imagine who are firmly in the grips of money’s power.

As you think and reflect about money, what do you learn about yourself? Are you more prone to think about its scarcity? Or its abundance? Do you think you have enough? Or are you waiting until another season of your life when you think the weight will be a bit lighter? How much of your own sense of worth is connected to your money and possessions? How does your family deal with money?

If you prayerfully ask Jesus what the next step is for you and he tells you it is to give it all away, what would you do? The gospel of Mark is the only version of this encounter that states that Jesus loved the young man. I think this is pretty crucial. I am much more likely to start making transformational choices if I feel like I am loved. What has power in your life? Do you want it to change?

Peace, Beth +