God has ordained that money and material possessions are an essential for normal life. Jesus also teaches that the “love of money” is the root of ALL Evil! So, just how is a Christian to think about money, since it is a required thing for everyday life? In our lesson today, our pastor / teacher Landis Fisher provides some interesting insight into these questions and more in a lesson from our ongoing study through the gospel of Mark that he calls: “Sewing With Camels” So, open your bibles and listen in, as we pray along with our teacher.
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Proverbs 30:5 – 9 (KJV)
Prov 30:5 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Prov 30:6 Do not add to His words Lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar. Prov 30:7 Two things I asked of Thee, Do not refuse me before I die: Prov 30:8 Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, Prov 30:9 Lest I be full and deny Thee and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Mark 10:17 – 27 (KJV)
Mark 10:17 And as He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and began asking Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Mark 10:18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.
Mark 10:19 “You know the commandments, ‘DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, Do not defraud, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.'”
Mark 10:20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”
Mark 10:21 And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Mark 10:22 But at these words his face fell, and he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property.
Mark 10:23 And Jesus, looking around, said^ to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”
Mark 10:24 And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered^ again and said^ to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
Mark 10:25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Mark 10:26 And they were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?”
Mark 10:27 Looking upon them, Jesus said^, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
Transforming Power Statements:
#1) There is a direct corollary between human behavior associated with the level of wealth and material possessions of an individual; (depending on their attitude whether it be fleshly vs. spiritual), which affects their relationships with each other and with God.
#2) The Bible does not forbid us to have money; but it forbids us to let money have us, therefore we must strive to be good stewards of the things that we are allowed to possess, doing all things to the glory of God.
#3) Only God is able to send a rich man “Sewing with Camels” into the earth and He will do it if we give ourselves to God for the purpose of being tools for the glory of His Name.
