The Paradox of True Wealth
Our culture seems to constantly push us to want more and more. Bigger homes, newer cars, the latest technology, it's the American way! But what if this endless pursuit of "more" is actually leading us away from what truly matters? What if the path to real abundance requires letting go rather than accumulating?
The Pursuit That Leaves Us Empty
It's pretty easy to march through life day after day, always wanting more and wishing that we had something that we don't yet have, or maybe even wondering why some people have so much. This isn't just an American phenomenon. The Psalmist said, "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped, for I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles. Their bodies are healthy and strong. They go on amassing wealth" (Psalm 73:2-4).
The Rich Young Ruler: Having Everything Yet Missing Everything
One day, Jesus met a guy who didn't get the memo that all of life is a gift from God. He was a superstar, young and rich, and he even wanted to make sure he had things right with God. But he seemed confused about the whole matter. He believed that all his wealth that he was born into was not a gift from God but was his and his alone.
In Mark 10, we read: "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?'" (Mark 10:17)
This wasn't just any man. Matthew identifies him as young, Luke says he was a ruler, and all three Gospels mention he was wealthy, not just well-off, but fabulously wealthy.
When Jesus reminded him of the commandments, the man confidently declared, "Teacher, all these things I've kept since I was a boy" (Mark 10:20). I imagine Jesus might have smirked as if saying, "So let me see if I get this straight. You have kept every single commandment in the law perfectly since you were a boy? Sure you have."
Then Jesus hit him with the truth: "One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (Mark 10:21).
Jesus was saying, "Do you remember the very first commandment? 'You shall have no other gods before me.' You say you've kept every commandment, but you can't even get past number one of the big ten. Your god is money."
The American Dream Cannot Compare to God's Dream
God's dream is so much more than we can imagine: good news for the poor, freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, setting the oppressed free (Luke 4:18-19).
If you want to be firmly rooted in your faith, it will never happen until you radically commit your life to what Jesus committed his life to. Materialism is a poor substitute for the Jesus life. The abundant life, living for the goods of this world, pales in comparison to what God calls us to: helping people find God's love, opening people's eyes to the truth, bringing true internal freedom and hope that everyone longs for.
Nobody Ever Said It Was Going to Be Easy
The call of Jesus could be referred to as the call to die. Jesus said, "If you want to follow me, take up your cross" (Matthew 16:24). Crosses are to die on: die to yourself, die to your old ways, die to your sinful desires, die to living for selfish ambition.
Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33, "I have told you these things so that you may have peace in this world. You are going to have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world."
The Paradox of Life: Die to Live
Jesus died so that we might live. We die to self-centeredness, giving our lives to him, and that results in real life for us. The cross of Christ was an instrument to die on, but to us, it's the promise of new life.
Paul gave his testimony in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."
Human logic tells us that the more we get, the happier we'll be. But this is the lie of the corrupt world we live in. This is what Jesus was trying to get through to the rich young ruler: when we die to self, when we live for Christ and his mission, life finally begins to come together.
The Promise for Our Future
Jesus said to the rich young ruler, "Give it all and you will find the true life that you're looking for." But he responded, "There is no way I'm going to give up my prosperity to help others." And what happened? "He went away sad" (Mark 10:22).
Jesus offered him abundant life with eternal happiness in heaven, but he rejected it. From that moment on, the rich young ruler, full of everything this life could offer, had sadness as the chief characteristic of his life.
God's Way vs. The World's Way
When Peter pointed out that the disciples had left everything to follow Jesus, Jesus made an incredible promise: "Truly, I tell you, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life" (Mark 10:29-30).
The rich young ruler refused this offer, but it's still on the table for all who have eyes to see and ears to hear. Here are some practical steps to embrace God's way:
Start with gratitude - Take time each day to thank God for what you have rather than focusing on what you lack.
Examine your priorities - Ask yourself honestly: Is there anything I'm unwilling to give up for Jesus? That might be your "god."
Practice first-fruits giving - Don't wait to see if there's anything left over. Make giving to God's work your first financial priority.
Invest in eternal treasures - Use your resources to help others, spread the gospel, and make an eternal difference.
Find community - When you give up things for Jesus, He provides a new family of believers "a hundred times as much in this present age."
The paradox of true wealth is that it comes not from accumulating more, but from being willing to let go. When we release our tight grip on earthly treasures, we discover that our hands are now free to receive God's abundant blessings, both in this life and in eternity.
Reflection
In what areas of your life are you constantly wanting more rather than living in gratitude for what you already have?
How has the pursuit of material possessions or achievements sometimes left you feeling empty or sad like the rich young ruler?
What "gods" might be competing with God for first place in your life? Is there anything you would struggle to give up if Jesus asked you to?
How might your perspective change if you truly viewed everything you have as being on loan from God rather than belonging to you?
Application
Today, commit to living by God's financial principles rather than the world's way. Begin by dedicating everything you have to the Lord, acknowledging it all belongs to him. Consider the Biblical principle of tithing: giving the first portion back to God rather than waiting to see what's left over. Make a concrete plan to be more intentional with your resources, whether that means increasing your giving, paying down debt, or being more generous with those in need.
Prayer
Dear God, forgive me for the times I've been like the rich young ruler, clinging to my possessions and walking away sad rather than embracing your better way. Help me to see that everything I have is a gift from you, on loan for me to manage wisely. Give me a heart of gratitude rather than a spirit of always wanting more. Show me where I need to die to self so that I might truly live. Guide me to be faithful in the little things, knowing that how I handle worldly wealth reflects my readiness for the true riches of heaven. Thank you for your abundant blessings and help me to be a blessing to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
