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Commentary on "Freedom From Addictions"
Day 5: Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - The Love of Money
Overview
The commentary states that the Bible does not limit the amount of money one should aim to have, but warns against the wrong attitude toward money and possessions. The wrong outlook, it says, might lead to addictions (including, but not limited to obsessions and compulsions). In time, because of the wrong outlook and the time and effort spent on the pursuit of money or possessions, these may become false gods.
The author cites "information technology" as a culprit in giving money addicts easier access to their vice and then makes a contrast to wise and careful investment, stating that this is simply good stewardship.
Observations
The text for today is Mark 10:17-27. This is not the simple story of a man who doesn't love Jesus enough. This is the story of Jesus, who is the Word of Truth; it's also the story of a man who didn't submit or surrender to Him, and the promise of making possible what is seemingly impossible to us when we choose to believe Him.
Jesus recognized that this rich young ruler was stopping short of recognizing His Deity when He asked him the question, Why do you call me good? Jesus, as always, recognized the heart need and directed His attention there.
In verse 21, we find that Jesus felt a love for him (the young ruler) and then told him what he must do: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. Jesus told the young ruler that he must become his disciple, a true follower of Christ to gain eternal life. That included several things: being willing to sell all his possessions , giving to the poor and following Christ. The principle taught here is not that we must not own anything or give up all physical goods, because in other places in Scripture, we are given practical ways in which to manage our money and possessions. Rather the principle is that we must lose our own life to gain eternal life. Remember the question the rich young ruler asked was this: How do I gain eternal life? That is the real story of this passage.
Matthew 6:20, 21 says this:
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
These verses do not say that your treasure follows your heart, but that your heart follows your treasure. A person can be storing up earthly treasure in many forms, whether they have ANY possessions or not.
But, the reality is that until we submit to Christ as our Savior, and follow what the Bible says is true, we will be living out of our own strength, which is no strength at all.
The commentary states this: Such expressions as the man's face fell and he went away sad ... tell us that his love for wealth was greater than his love for the Master.
Even though this is true, it misses the greater point of the story. Jesus felt deep love for this man, and that love has the power to change lives. Jesus' love is pure, unstained by sin. Jesus models what true love is. Love rejoices with the truth. 1 Cor. 13:6 The rich young ruler didn't surrender and bow down to Jesus in his heart. He didn't rejoice in the truth, instead, he wanted to hold onto his own way of doing things because it just made more sense to him. He wanted a list of rules to abide by. He paid lip service to what Jesus offered because He was used to following order and He thought that it was the "next thing" in His life he should do in order to be holy. Really, he wanted the easy way out. He wanted a checklist that he could DO, something that would make him look holy on the outside, but would allow him to maintain his lack of engagement with the God of the universe in his heart; the God who convicts of sin in order to cause true and lasting change.
Following Jesus, letting go of everything, just doesn't make SENSE when we must maintain a "standard". But, the promise Jesus makes is that when we surrender to Him, His strength is made manifest through our weakness. We aren't called to be strong, we are called to surrender.
When we submit to the truth, to the Word of Life, our feelings can follow. They may not always, but they can. Either way, we can know the truth, and the truth will set us free. John 8:36. Jesus was offering Himself, the very Truth incarnate, and the man who said He wanted to gain eternal life, but would not follow Jesus.
Summary
- Jesus is the source of eternal life and the Word of Truth.
- Whether a person has a lot of money or a little money, anyone can be inhibited from being born again into new life by the Holy Spirit if they choose to follow rules instead of listening to Jesus.
- Through Christ all things are possible. He gives real love makes good promises.
- When we submit to Jesus, feelings may or may not follow, but we can know that the truth will set us free.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised March 5, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.
Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 11
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 11
