An Issue of the Heart
ICS Daily Devotions
Mark 10:21 (NKJV) Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
Money can become a god to many people regardless of their social status. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for some which have strayed from their faith in their greediness”. In other words, money can prevent a person from coming to God for salvation. The rich and the poor can both develop a love for money, letting it become a stronghold in their lives. The rich may find it hard to part with their money because their trust lies in money, whereas the poor can also love money because nobody wants to be in lack. God does not oppose money or the prosperity and provision of people but rather money becoming a god to us.
Colossians 3:5 (NKJV) Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
In the opening passage, the rich young ruler is of Jewish descent and has been well-taught about the laws of God. He must have learned where his wealth and blessing originated. Nonetheless, the love of money has slowly crept into his life, causing him to idolise it, especially when it was accompanied by power since he was a rich young ruler who had tasted power and wealth, and money has become a stronghold in his life. The problem is that he has identified himself with the status and wealth given to him. He needed to remove wealth and power as the idol in his life because it was God who had provided him with his wealth. Therefore, money wasn’t the problem for the rich young ruler, but the love of money, which is a heart issue. He loved money more than his love for salvation or eternal life. He came to Jesus for an answer regarding how to have eternal life, but he couldn’t let go of the idol in his heart—the love of money. Jesus spoke right into his life, helping him realise that his trust in money was hindering his faith in God.
What about you? Is money hindering your faith in God? Are you struggling to let go of your trust in money as your source of security and an idol in your life? This is the beginning of our drifting away, gradually leading us to distance ourselves from God and draw closer to what the world offers us. Remember that God is a jealous God. He doesn’t want us to be lukewarm and half-hearted toward Him; He desires all of us and our hearts.
Sermon Series: Money – The truth shall set you free!
