March 01, 2010

As he was starting out on a trip, a man came running up to Jesus, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?”

-Mark 10:17

Money is a central heart issue in the Gospel. The rich young ruler mentioned in the book of Mark made a profession of faith, but his money did not follow. Promises of love and discipleship to Jesus are empty unless your possessions mean nothing compared to Him. The way a person uses money is always a reflection of what’s in his heart. If Jesus had occupied first place in the rich young ruler’s heart, it would have been evidenced in his attitude toward his money.

In Leviticus 25 the principle of the Sabbath year brought up an issue similar to the story of the rich young ruler. Simply stated, the people were told to give up something they wanted for God’s sake. God then promised that He would order a blessing so bountiful that it would produce a triple harvest for three years!

When will we ever learn that if we follow God’s laws of sacrifice and obedience, He is well able to speak to our circumstances with His blessing? Jesus promised, “I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return, a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property. . . .” (Mark 10:29-30).

Don’t resent sacrifice. See it as an opportunity to increase!

Daily Readings: Leviticus 24:1-25:46 • Mark 10:13-31
• Psalm 44:9-26 • Proverbs 10:20-21

The One Year Devotional used by permission from Bethany World Prayer Center and Pastor Larry Stockstill . For more information, please see www.bethany.com or www.bccn.com.