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đź“– Rich Young Men
It’s all fun and games until Jesus tells us to empty the wallet
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Rich Young Men
The United States is a land of grandiosity.
Nowhere is this better seen than in the explosive and volatile persona of its current president.
Now it might surprise you to know that Trump was all over our TV screens even before he became president.
Roughly 20 years ago, NBC decided to give the then-eccentric and flashy NYC billionaire his own television program.
The Apprentice was that program.
It was a reality show in which a handful of business hopefuls competed against each other to win the coveted prize of being “business partners” with Trump.
But the show’s theme song cut right to the chase on what the people were truly there for:
The “Almighty” Dollar
(Who can blame her?)
There’s been a lot of talk throughout the ages of the “unholy” but all too intoxicating trinity of Money, Sex, and Power. And there’s a reason money sits at the top of that list.
Money keeps us fed, puts a roof over our heads, clothes us, and more.
But it also opens avenues, providing pleasure, influence, and opportunity.
It’s understandably something a vast majority of the planet is concerned with.
This is what makes a specific scene from the life of Jesus difficult for some to take in…
The Story of the Rich Young Man
In Matthew 19v16-26, Jesus is approached by a wealthy young man who's curious about obtaining eternal life.
Jesus begins by asking him religious and moral questions. Does he uphold the 10 Commandments? Does he show love to others?
He does!
That’s great but leaves one more thing…
21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
The young man was unwilling to give up all his money and possessions to follow Jesus and, so, turned away disappointed.
And Jesus doesn’t go after him but, instead, says to the disciples: “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
(Needless to say, I don’t think Jesus would have been a fan of The Apprentice.)
Christian history is filled with many figures like Francis of Assisi (picture above) who renounced worldly possession for the sake of Christ.
Join us on Theophilus this week as we unpack this story and explore the relationship between God and money, probing the important question:
Is Jesus asking us to give all our money away?
We’ll dive deeper tomorrow but, for now, be blessed.
For now, be blessed.
Jon,
Theophilus Newsletter
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