Anyone?
"You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
The rich young man missed his opportunity to follow Jesus because of his possessions.
The point of the Gospel is what do we hold as more important than following Jesus?
Is it having a TV?
Having a new car?
Not checking in with your family?
Money is not evil — it is the love of money that is evil. And this rich young man wanted his possessions.
Did you see the line — only in Mark, “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Jesus knew this young man was searching, and he loved him for that.
This was Sacrificial Giving Sunday at my church today, so this was a great Gospel. The line at the end tells the disciples that they will receive one hundered-fold back for giving, even if it is straightening out the pews Monday morning or mopping the floors after coffee and donuts.
It is what we give in total:
Time
Talent
Treasure
All the emphasis cannot be put on the money alone.
The ending sentence also tells the apostles that they will suffer persecution. So will we as we follow Christ’s command to love others as he loved the Church.