CENTRAL THOUGHT
Godliness with contentment is great gain.
HYMN: “I need Thee every hour”
TEXT: Mark 10:17-31
INTRODUCTION:
A rich and zealous young man came to Jesus to inquire about the ways of the kingdom of God. With apparent humility and seemingly religious fervency, he engaged the Lord Jesus in a conversation about the requirements for eternal life. Jesus loved him and told him the whole truth, but he became offended, and left sorrowfully.
Though he was wealthy and kept the basic commandment of Moses, he felt his future was still bleak as far as eternal life was concerned. He came with a mindset that had a limit on what he was willing to entertain from the ‘good master’. He decided to opt for his wealth instead of eternal life.
Fulfillment in life means different things to different people, depending on one’s understanding of the purpose of life.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this lesson are:
- Discuss the attitude of the rich young man to his wealth;
- Identify some things in life that can possibly compete with our love for God;
- Examine the ideal Christian attitude towards wealth;
- Identify the rewards in serving God; and
- List the hallmarks of a fulfilled Christian life.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1a). WHAT WERE THE MORAL QUALITIES OF THE RICH YOUNG MAN?
Mark 10:17-20
The rich young man had some striking moral qualities. He was very mindful and eager about eternal life. He was also a conscious keeper of the basic commandments given through Moses. He was very sensitive to the extraordinary nature of Jesus, hence he called Him, ‘Good Master’. He presented himself as one who was desirous of knowledge and zealous to do more.
QUESTION 1b.) WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THE LIFE OF THIS RICH YOUNG MAN?
The young man was very religious and he carefully observed the letters of the law, but within him, there was still a big vacuum and a measure of doubt as to his access to eternal life. We need more than a routine set of laws to be at peace with God. He expected Jesus to advise him along his parochial mindset, and when that was not the case, he left with offense. We must learn to approach God with openness, and we must not set bounds on God in our life. His excessive attachment to his wealth was his major obstacle to eternal life. There is no prize too great to pay to have the kingdom of God.
QUESTION 2a.) WHAT WAS LACKING IN THE LIFE OF THE RICH YOUNG MAN? Mark 10:21
Though the young man had some credits of morality in his store, he lacked some basic ingredients needed to relate effectively with God for a fulfilled life.
First, he lacked knowledge of the source and purpose of wealth. He did not realize that he was a custodian of wealth from God for the services of God and humanity. His openness to God was limited, and so was his trust in God as the provider of the resources. In conclusion, he was rich in material items but very poor in matters of the soul.
QUESTION 2b.) IDENTIFY SOME THINGS IN LIFE THAT CAN POSSIBLY COMPETE WITH OUR LOVE FOR GOD? John 21:15-17
Our indulgences, ambitions, pains, possessions, and affiliations all have the capacity to interfere with our love for God if not properly situated. Such things as wealth, power, fame, vocation, family, leisure, and pleasure can impede our love for God if we are obsessed about them. Adversities of life such as bereavement, economic challenges, health issues, marital troubles, and general insecurities can choke our love for God. we must therefore be deeply rooted in our faith and give first priority to the salvation of our souls.
QUESTION 3.) EXPLAIN THE REFUSAL OF THE YOUNG MAN TO FOLLOW JESUS.
Mark 10:22; Luke 14:28; John 6:53-61; 2 Tim 4:2-4
The young man was unable to bear the hard truth Jesus told him. Maybe he expected Jesus to validate his mindset, but he became disappointed since that didn’t happen. Next, he feared the eventual cost of such a decision to give up his wealth. The fear of the unknown future and the absence of faith in God made him turn Jesus down. The inherent pride often associated with wealth had the upper part of him this time around. His impatience at the suggestion of giving up his wealth and the notion of following the ‘Good Master’ made him abandon the quest of eternal life. The rules of the kingdom have no provision for ego or pride and does not accept selective obedience, which are not ingredients for a fulfilled life.
QUESTION 4a.) DISCUSS JESUS’ STATEMENT ABOUT ‘RICH MEN’ ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Mark 10:23-37
This statement must neither be interpreted in isolation nor viewed in absolute literal terms. The emphasis is on trusting riches and being blinded to eternal truth because of wealth. Those who trust in riches may have their fill in this life but are without hope of eternal life. The danger is not in having wealth but trusting in wealth to the detriment of the soul. Every believer is therefore expected to strike a godly balance in all processes of acquisition and use of wealth.
QUESTION 4b.) WHAT SHOULD BE THE BELIEVER’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS WEALTH? Phil 3:4-8; 1 Tim 6:17-19; Matt. 25:35-40.
Every believer should have the right mentality about wealth. It is from God; it is to be used to serve God’s purpose and it is an earthly phenomenon. It is not sin in itself but has great power to divert focus from God. Wealth does not exclude us from holy living or physical service in the house of God. For the believer, wealth is an endowment from God for the work of the ministry, and not just for riotous and wanton living.
QUESTION 5a.) WAS APOSTLE PETER WRONG IN THINKING ABOUT REWARD? Mark 10:28
Peter’s question was a necessary one to establish the faith of the disciples. The believer must be clear about the hope he has in Christ. It will serve to fuel his zeal and passion for the work of God. Believer should know that beyond the Cross there is a crown and a blaze of glory. They are motivated to serve God faithfully not just for the terrible consequences of doing otherwise, but also by the unimaginable splendor and glory that awaits us in eternity.
QUESTION 5b.) WHAT ARE THE REWARDS IN GIVING UP EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW JESUS? Mark 10:29-31
There are rewards for everyone who has made some sacrifice to follow Christ. Some of the rewards are earthly, some material and others are eternal. Prominent among those rewards are blessings of unspeakable peace and joy, divine protection, supernatural provisions, total prosperity, gift of a new and eternal family bonded together by the love of God. The eternal reward is eternal life which is made up of commendation from God, a crown of glory and authority, and compensation for all the earthly travails.
QUESTION 6.) WHAT ARE THE HALLMARKS OF A FULFILLED CHRISTIAN LIFE?
To the believer, a fulfilled life is one that knows God and his perfect will and who lives according to divine purpose. It is a life of selfless service that is anchored on faith in God and has made right impressions on other lives to the extent that God’s Name is glorified. A fulfilled life is indicated by the extent one was able to achieve divine mandate and the boldness with which we approach eternity.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The wealth, popularity, and morality of the rich young man could not satisfy his inner spiritual yearning. There was a vacuum which the material things of this world could not fill. It takes the love of God and a total acceptance of His will for us to have fulfillment in this life.
MEMORY VERSE:
Matt. 16:24
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL.
MATT.16:26
TUE: KEEP YOURSELVES FROM IDOLS.
1 John 5:21
WED: SUBMIT YOURSELVES TO GOD.
James 4:7
THU: WHAT SHALL I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE?
Mark 10:17
FRI: LOVE NOT THE WORLD.
1 John 2:15
SAT: THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
1 Tim. 6:10