Vanity of Riches
TEXT: Mark 10:17-27
Key verse:
“And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22 ).
Generally speaking, the natural man is accustomed to looking at the possession of riches as a proof of divine favour. He grows up with the dream to being rich and famous; but riches have excluded many religious people from salvation.
The young ruler in our text could have been a disciple, but he chose to walk away from the Saviour because he had great possessions. What a loss that was, all because he trusted in his riches. He was a zealous, religious man who had run to Jesus to find answers to the question of eternal life. But because he was insincere, he was incapable of exercising faith for salvation. He lacked that one needful thing, that is, a supreme love for God, without which all our religious profession is vain.
There is the danger of never getting saved for anyone who trusts in riches. Those who do so never correctly value their relationship with Christ. The young ruler was self-deluded, believing as millions do today, that eternal life could be obtained by the performance of some religious deeds. How painfully disappointed they will be on the last day who give large donations in church and alms in the street, supposing to qualify for salvation by those deeds.
The greatest test of sincerity comes to the professor of religion when he has to repudiate wealth and resources for Christ’s sake. Christ is not against riches righteously acquired but he sternly counsels against putting of our trust in riches. We are not to allow riches interfere with our relationship with God.
Lastly, the brethren of humble disposition should be content with what they have and avoid the love of riches which had drawn many back into perdition. Be content with such things as you have.
Thought for the day: The truly rich are those full of Christ’s grace.