Wealth, Poverty, Vanity

 

Jesu Juva

St. Mark 10:23-31                                                         

October 17, 2021

Proper 24B                                

 Dear saints of our Savior,

          If you want a stone-cold dose of reality, read the book of Ecclesiastes.  The book of Ecclesiastes contains all the comfort of a cold shower.  It’s a harsh but accurate description of the futility of “life under the sun.”  The book was written by a wise, old King Solomon.  We know Solomon as a man of power, wealth, wine, and women.  You name it, Solomon had it.  And he summarizes the life of wealth with one word:  Vanity—vanity as in emptiness, nothingness, meaninglessness, a chasing after the wind.

          Wealth offers no lasting satisfaction.  Just like every other idol, wealth never lives up to its promises.  Everyone wants more wealth; everyone wants more money.  Why do you think the wealthy keep on working?  How many millions do you need?  But Solomon says, He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor [will] he who loves wealth [be satisfied] with his income, this is also vanity.  The more you have, the more you want.  Martin Luther called wealth the most common idol on earth—bringing to despair those who don’t have it, and bringing anxiety to those who do.

          Solomon says that the low-income laborer sleeps soundly, but [he says] the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.  You can admit it.  Your full stomach has kept you awake—after a late night of rich food and fine beverages.  Is it any wonder that the top-selling over the counter drugs are pain killers and antacids?  You can thank your wealth for that.  One famous study suggested that lottery winners—the most envied people on earth—are actually the most unhappy, stressed out people on earth. 

          Jesus took delight in dethroning the idol of wealth and riches.  Today’s Holy Gospel picks up right after Jesus had failed to snag a potential new follower.  This new recruit was young and rich and powerful.  His deep pockets would have been just the ticket for the tiny, rag-tag band of followers Jesus was assembling.  The disciples couldn’t believe their ears when Jesus told this man to sell everything he owned and give it to the poor—and only then to follow Him.  They must have been livid when Jesus just let the man walk away downcast.  How did Jesus expect to “grow the kingdom” and “fund the mission” with only a bunch of poor people for followers?

          The disciples were scratching their heads because they—like us—lived in a culture where wealth was admired.  It was the ultimate sign of God’s blessing.  To be rich was a sure sign of God’s favor.  And if you were poor?  Well, you must have done something bad to deserve that.

          So, just imagine how many jaws hit the ground when Jesus started sounding a lot like Solomon, saying, How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God.  St. Mark said they were “amazed” at His words.  And they were “exceedingly astonished” when Jesus went on to say, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to

enter the kingdom of God.  Threading a needle with threat is hard enough.  But squeezing a camel through that tiny space, or (we might say) driving your SUV through it, well, that’s absurd.  And that’s the point.  It’s a pretty tight squeeze for rich people like us to enter the kingdom of God.

          Jesus’ words about wealth led the disciples to ask, “Who then can be saved?”  If even the rich, who outwardly seem to be blessed, will have a difficult time squeezing into the kingdom, then who can be saved?  With man it is impossible, Jesus said.  We cannot save ourselves.  Our money can’t save us.  Our IRAs and 401ks can’t save us.  With man it is impossible.  Even giving it all away won’t save you.  Peter tried that little transaction with Jesus:  “Look, Lord, we left everything and followed you.  That should count for something, right?”  Jesus makes it clear that those who follow Him in faith will indeed receive blessings.  But together with those blessings will come persecutions.  Along with blessings will come crosses for us to bear.  Oh, and don’t forget, many who are first will be last, and the last [will be] first.

          Jesus Christ is no idol; He’s the real deal—true God and true man—who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven.  In Jesus all things are possible—including your salvation.  You see, we have to get Jesus “right” before we can get wealth and money “right.”  Jesus left behind the wealth and riches of heaven.  Jesus left behind the kingdom and the power and the glory to join us in our poverty and toil under the sun.  Jesus became poor for our sakes.  He became our sin.  He died our death.  He willingly gave up father and mother and brother and sister and lands and houses.  He was tempted by Satan that all the kingdoms of the world with all their wealth could be His for one little act of worship; but He refused.  Instead, Jesus chose the way of the cross—the way of the least and lowly, of poverty and weakness and loss.  And He did all this for you.

          Jesus did the impossible—the thing that only God can do.  He saved you.  He took upon Himself the poverty of your sin—the idolatry, the greed and the gluttony—He took it all.  And in exchange He now gives you true security that lasts for eternity, forgiveness for your sins, and peace that passes understanding.  It may well be impossible for a rich person to squeeze through heaven’s narrow doors.  But Jesus can fit through those doors.  And He has promised to take you with Him—along with all who trust in Him.

          Trusting in Jesus for everything good, you can now live in true freedom under the sun.  You don’t need to cling to wealth and riches as if they could save you and give you peace.  If the stock market crashes tomorrow, your life won’t crash with it.  Because you cling to Christ—who clings to you with His nail-scarred hands.  Whatever wealth you have is given by Him.  And what should you do with that wealth?  Solomon might say to enjoy it . . . while you have it.  Live generously.  Be content with what you have because God has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Be content with what you have because godliness with contentment is great gain.  With Jesus Christ at the center of life, wealth takes its proper place.  Do you have plenty?  Then enjoy, and share the joy with others.  Are you in need?  Then rejoice that your life is free from the pressures and clutter of wealth—and don’t forget that you do have treasure—treasure in heaven, kept safe and secure for you by the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.

          In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.