Today, Wednesday, November 29, 2017 is the thirty-second message in a series of forty chapters in Russell Board's book entitled, 40 Days With Jesus.
You will not be the same after reading each of these inspiring and informative chapters. They are concise and comprehensive chapters and you will be captivated by each one, and blessings untold will be yours.
Russell Board has wisely chosen just one word to give each chapter a title. Amazing. Effective. Profitable. Satisfying. Fruitful. Uplifting. Instructive. Masterful. Copacetic.
Stand by for the thirty-second chapter entitled, "Riches":
RICHES
Mark 10:17-27
The story of this encounter is told by Matthew and Luke as well as Mark. Matthew notes that the man is young (Matthew 19:20), and Luke calls him a “ruler” (Luke 18:18), probably a local magistrate with a measure of judicial authority. Hence he is often known as the “rich young ruler.”
The young man has a lot going for him. He is wealthy, accomplished, well-respected, religiously devout and morally upright. He is not among the marginalized and despised class of “sinners” that Jesus attracted so often. This is the kind of man any pastor would love to have as a faithful, tithe-paying church member.
We might expect a man like this to be smug and self-satisfied, but that is not the case. In spite of his wealth and position, the young man is gripped by a deep spiritual hunger. He is looking for something that neither riches nor honor nor religion has been able to supply.
His approach to Jesus exhibits eagerness and humility, perhaps even desperation. He does not draw near with stately reserve, but actually runs to Jesus, and kneels at his feet.
Addressing Jesus with respect as “Good Teacher,” he asks what he must do to obtain eternal life. The question reflects an awareness of his own mortality, a lack of assurance regarding his standing with God, and a yearning for something deeper and more significant than the life he is now living.
As He did so often, instead of offering a direct answer, Jesus responds with a probing query of His own, intended to call into question the assumptions beneath the man’s question. If only God is good, then does calling Jesus “good” imply that He is more than just a teacher? If only God is good, then what about the young man’s own moral standing, built upon careful obedience to the divine decrees? Is he himself not “good”?
Jesus then points him to the commandments given through Moses. Interestingly, Jesus mentions only the latter grouping of commands, those governing person-to-person relationships. He doesn’t mention the earlier ones, those governing our duties to God. But these unspoken commands are very much present in the background, and will come to the fore later on.
Dropping the problematic adjective “good,” this time the young man addresses Jesus simply as “Teacher,” and declares that he has faithfully kept all these commandments. But he realizes that something is still lacking. He looks at Jesus inquiringly, expectantly. What else does he need to do?
Jesus looks into the young man’s eyes, and deeper still into his heart. He loves the young man, and is about to offer him a staggering invitation into an abundant life beyond all that he has ever known. He tells the man to sell all that he has, give the money to the poor, and become one of His disciples.
We must not misinterpret what Jesus is doing. He is not saying, “You have done very well in keeping the commandments, and you’ve scored 90% on the discipleship entrance exam. Just one more command to obey, and you’ll get perfect marks!”
No, it’s not about keeping the rules; it’s about the condition of the heart. Jesus has discerned that the man’s problem is with the very first commandment, to “have no other gods before the Lord.” The young man has made an idol out of his wealth. Jesus invites him to let go of this idol, and enter into the eternal life he longs for.
Idols are false, deceitful and destructive. The young man has looked to his wealth to provide his life with identity, security and meaning. This it cannot do, in spite of all its promises to the contrary. The fact that the young man is here seeking help from Jesus is clear evidence of his idol’s failure.
And yet, the young man declines Jesus’ invitation to life. Mark’s comment is suffused with irony: “He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Sorrowful, because he had great possessions!
What’s wrong with this picture? Isn’t wealth supposed to bring happiness? Why isn’t he joyful because of his great possessions? And if his idol has failed him, why does he cling to it so tenaciously? It seems that the idol has gripped his heart too tightly, and grown to occupy too large a space in his life. In spite of its failure to fulfill its promises, he cannot imagine life without his wealth, and is afraid to let it go.
As Jesus loves the man, He is also sorrowful at his departure. He is well aware of the power exercised by this idol in the lives of men, and how difficult it is for us to free ourselves from its grasp. Indeed, it is impossible for us to do on our own. Thank God for His grace, which exposes the bankruptcy of this idol, and breaks its hold on our heart!
A word about the “treasure in heaven” Jesus offers to His followers. We should not think of this as wealth accruing in a heavenly bank account that will someday be ours. Jesus is not telling the man to trade in his current earthly possessions for heavenly ones he will receive by and by. Jesus is offering him access to “riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19), encompassing all the provision and resources that are ours in Christ!
Who can fathom the depths of this treasure? Forgiveness, cleansing, deliverance, and healing; the precious “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22, 23); the “immeasurable greatness of His power” which raised Christ from the dead and is now at work in us (Ephesians 1:19, 20); even the very “fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19)! This is wealth, indeed, beyond all measure and all price!
Meditation: What are the idols that seek to deceive you and displace Jesus in your heart and life?
Prayer: Lord, expose the idols I cling to, and tear them from my heart. You are my greatest treasure, and in You I have everything I need.
You will not be the same after reading each of these inspiring and informative chapters. They are concise and comprehensive chapters and you will be captivated by each one, and blessings untold will be yours.
Russell Board has wisely chosen just one word to give each chapter a title. Amazing. Effective. Profitable. Satisfying. Fruitful. Uplifting. Instructive. Masterful. Copacetic.
Stand by for the thirty-second chapter entitled, "Riches":
RICHES
Mark 10:17-27
The story of this encounter is told by Matthew and Luke as well as Mark. Matthew notes that the man is young (Matthew 19:20), and Luke calls him a “ruler” (Luke 18:18), probably a local magistrate with a measure of judicial authority. Hence he is often known as the “rich young ruler.”
The young man has a lot going for him. He is wealthy, accomplished, well-respected, religiously devout and morally upright. He is not among the marginalized and despised class of “sinners” that Jesus attracted so often. This is the kind of man any pastor would love to have as a faithful, tithe-paying church member.
We might expect a man like this to be smug and self-satisfied, but that is not the case. In spite of his wealth and position, the young man is gripped by a deep spiritual hunger. He is looking for something that neither riches nor honor nor religion has been able to supply.
His approach to Jesus exhibits eagerness and humility, perhaps even desperation. He does not draw near with stately reserve, but actually runs to Jesus, and kneels at his feet.
Addressing Jesus with respect as “Good Teacher,” he asks what he must do to obtain eternal life. The question reflects an awareness of his own mortality, a lack of assurance regarding his standing with God, and a yearning for something deeper and more significant than the life he is now living.
As He did so often, instead of offering a direct answer, Jesus responds with a probing query of His own, intended to call into question the assumptions beneath the man’s question. If only God is good, then does calling Jesus “good” imply that He is more than just a teacher? If only God is good, then what about the young man’s own moral standing, built upon careful obedience to the divine decrees? Is he himself not “good”?
Jesus then points him to the commandments given through Moses. Interestingly, Jesus mentions only the latter grouping of commands, those governing person-to-person relationships. He doesn’t mention the earlier ones, those governing our duties to God. But these unspoken commands are very much present in the background, and will come to the fore later on.
Dropping the problematic adjective “good,” this time the young man addresses Jesus simply as “Teacher,” and declares that he has faithfully kept all these commandments. But he realizes that something is still lacking. He looks at Jesus inquiringly, expectantly. What else does he need to do?
Jesus looks into the young man’s eyes, and deeper still into his heart. He loves the young man, and is about to offer him a staggering invitation into an abundant life beyond all that he has ever known. He tells the man to sell all that he has, give the money to the poor, and become one of His disciples.
We must not misinterpret what Jesus is doing. He is not saying, “You have done very well in keeping the commandments, and you’ve scored 90% on the discipleship entrance exam. Just one more command to obey, and you’ll get perfect marks!”
No, it’s not about keeping the rules; it’s about the condition of the heart. Jesus has discerned that the man’s problem is with the very first commandment, to “have no other gods before the Lord.” The young man has made an idol out of his wealth. Jesus invites him to let go of this idol, and enter into the eternal life he longs for.
Idols are false, deceitful and destructive. The young man has looked to his wealth to provide his life with identity, security and meaning. This it cannot do, in spite of all its promises to the contrary. The fact that the young man is here seeking help from Jesus is clear evidence of his idol’s failure.
And yet, the young man declines Jesus’ invitation to life. Mark’s comment is suffused with irony: “He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Sorrowful, because he had great possessions!
What’s wrong with this picture? Isn’t wealth supposed to bring happiness? Why isn’t he joyful because of his great possessions? And if his idol has failed him, why does he cling to it so tenaciously? It seems that the idol has gripped his heart too tightly, and grown to occupy too large a space in his life. In spite of its failure to fulfill its promises, he cannot imagine life without his wealth, and is afraid to let it go.
As Jesus loves the man, He is also sorrowful at his departure. He is well aware of the power exercised by this idol in the lives of men, and how difficult it is for us to free ourselves from its grasp. Indeed, it is impossible for us to do on our own. Thank God for His grace, which exposes the bankruptcy of this idol, and breaks its hold on our heart!
A word about the “treasure in heaven” Jesus offers to His followers. We should not think of this as wealth accruing in a heavenly bank account that will someday be ours. Jesus is not telling the man to trade in his current earthly possessions for heavenly ones he will receive by and by. Jesus is offering him access to “riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19), encompassing all the provision and resources that are ours in Christ!
Who can fathom the depths of this treasure? Forgiveness, cleansing, deliverance, and healing; the precious “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22, 23); the “immeasurable greatness of His power” which raised Christ from the dead and is now at work in us (Ephesians 1:19, 20); even the very “fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19)! This is wealth, indeed, beyond all measure and all price!
Meditation: What are the idols that seek to deceive you and displace Jesus in your heart and life?
Prayer: Lord, expose the idols I cling to, and tear them from my heart. You are my greatest treasure, and in You I have everything I need.
Russell and Sandra Board are career IPHC missionaries. They are currently serving in Asia, and living in Saitama, Japan. Russell serves as the Director of Missions for Asia/Pacific IPHC World Missions Ministries.
Russell is as prolific writer and is no stranger to IPHC church members.
Russell wrote Sunday school Adult Student curriculum for One Accord Resources for use by IPHC and other Pentecostal denominations for 15 years. He also wrote Adult Teacher curriculum from time to time.
The book he wrote for new believers was revised in 2012 and reprinted in a new format under the title GROW. It is available here:
http://lifespringsresources.com/grow-maturing-believers-through-the-truths-of-the-christian-faith
Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham and Russell Board co-wrote an e-book called CHRISTMAS BEFORE AND AFTER, where Russell penned 25 readings for Advent and Doug wrote 12 reading for the Twelve Days of Christmas. It is available on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Before-After-Doug-Beacham-ebook/dp/B00A7XJ3LC/ref=sr_1_5?
40 Days with Jesus is available through LifeSprings here: http://lifespringsresources.com/40-days-with-jesus-encountering-jesus-in-the-gospels
Also, the Kindle version is available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Jesus-Encountering-Gospels-ebook/dp/B074G2NFDZ/ref=sr_1_3
If these messages of Russell Board are meaningful to you, please let me know. I need to hear from someone who has read them and has found meaning and enlightenment. Write me at: hugh@hughsnews.com
Russell is as prolific writer and is no stranger to IPHC church members.
Russell wrote Sunday school Adult Student curriculum for One Accord Resources for use by IPHC and other Pentecostal denominations for 15 years. He also wrote Adult Teacher curriculum from time to time.
The book he wrote for new believers was revised in 2012 and reprinted in a new format under the title GROW. It is available here:
http://lifespringsresources.com/grow-maturing-believers-through-the-truths-of-the-christian-faith
Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham and Russell Board co-wrote an e-book called CHRISTMAS BEFORE AND AFTER, where Russell penned 25 readings for Advent and Doug wrote 12 reading for the Twelve Days of Christmas. It is available on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Before-After-Doug-Beacham-ebook/dp/B00A7XJ3LC/ref=sr_1_5?
40 Days with Jesus is available through LifeSprings here: http://lifespringsresources.com/40-days-with-jesus-encountering-jesus-in-the-gospels
Also, the Kindle version is available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Jesus-Encountering-Gospels-ebook/dp/B074G2NFDZ/ref=sr_1_3
If these messages of Russell Board are meaningful to you, please let me know. I need to hear from someone who has read them and has found meaning and enlightenment. Write me at: hugh@hughsnews.com