KINGDOM ECONOMICS

March 27, 2011, 3rd Sunday in Lent

The scripture reading is from Mark 10:17-31

Mark 10:17   As he 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?”  18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.  19 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.’”  20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.”  21 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.”  22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. 

Mark 10:23   Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”  24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!  25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?”  27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” 

Mark 10:28   Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”  29 Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news,  30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.  31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” 

Questions for Personal Reflection from Steve Sweet

How do you define "being rich"?


How has your definition changed over the years?


Have you found that money can complicate life, if so, how?


If a friend asked you what they must do to inherit eternal life, what would you say to them?


Should a Christian desire to be rich?  Why or why not?

What is the most difficult thing for you to surrender to God?


What has Jesus been calling for you to surrender to God lately?

Why do we have such a difficult time understanding that everything that we own belongs to God?

Have you found for yourself that your expenses always have a way of filling your income?  Why does life work that way?

How does giving guard our faith from being choked out by worldly things?

If you could take a gigantic risk for Christ, and you were assured of its accomplishment, what would it be?

Prayer:

Loving Father,
so many times I turn away from you
and always you welcome me back.
It is your mercy, your example of humility,
your faithful love, your promise 
that you will never leave or forsake me
that gives me confidence to give, 
and to give, and to give some more.
Thank you for the invitation to share 
what you have given me stewardship over,
to fast during this season of Lent
from things that distract me from your love, 
and to pray so that you can form a new heart within me.
Your powerful compassion for my weaknesses
leads me to ask for mercy
and await with great hope 

the Easter joy you share with us.

Laguna Presbyterian Church, Sunday March 20, 2011
Photo by John Cullings