Dear Brothers and Sisters, Shalom.

I am Won KIM voicing Pastor Caleb Soo Lee Chong. Today, we’ll carry on with Lesson Eight in this Series: Wealth View of a Disciple.

Martin Luther (1483 – 1546), a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation, made a wise observation on the transformations in our psyche, thinking and wealth that we need to undergo after accepting Christ. He pointed out that money is exceedingly critical in the life of the modern man. It crops up in our daily discourses. Indeed, it is key to and inseparable from his day-to-day activities in this time and age. As such, out of these three parameters, the change in how one views money would be the most challenging of them all.

A person’s attitude towards and how he handles people and events around him is determined by his views on money. The spiritual condition that he is in can even be read here. If he is watchful but generous with his wealth while taking things in stride, we can be fairly certain that he is spiritually healthy and embraces a right worldview within himself. That is why we say that any attempt to change a person’s mindset would have to start right here. Now, that is an uphill task to perform.

A hypothetical situation may help to see things more clearly. Suppose your house is on fire, and you have to decide to salvage either (1) a disabled old man who is a total stranger or (2) the world-renowned painting the “Mona Lisa”. What would you do? Why? Bear in mind that the trapped old man is not related to you in any way! How would you decide?

Someone might say, I will salvage the painting, sell it to help more poor and isolated elderly folks using the proceeds. Now, dear brothers and sisters, I think that is rather idealistic. Do you think anyone would help other elderly people if earlier on he had turned a blind eye to an old man trapped in flames right in front of him?

On the other hand, many Christians may claim that they would save the old man as that would be the natural course of action to take. Sorry to burst your bubble at this juncture:  I bet they would grab the painting at the critical moment. Don’t you agree? All of us love money deep inside our hearts. The theology of Christ, however, states clearly that human life should come before material things. That is because wealth does not last forever, while all material goods have their limits. Man has the honorable image of God, the eternal soul, deposited within him; he is a person with a soul -- and soul commands far greater value than silver and gold.

Going a little further, when we claim that everything can be acquired by throwing money at it, we are talking about money being absolute and eternal. That Money can be the be all and end all of everything that meets our eyes. Now, that is not happening in our lives. As one builds up his life-experiences along the way, it would dawn upon him that there are limits as to what wealth can do.

After Jack Ma became a super-rich magnate, he exclaimed, “There is nothing to it at all! It would be more important to live one’s life in a meaningful and worthy manner.” If he were given a chance to start afresh, he once said that he would not become the Executive Chairman of Alibaba. He would be happier to set up a small company and become its boss. A rich man lives under duress, and has to struggle with challenges every day. Is this what life is trying to teach us?

In my mind I know that life is not all about money; why, then, am I am losing myself to it?

Dear brothers and sisters, do you agree with these views?

Money may buy you a bed, but not sleep.Money may buy you books, but not wisdom.

Money may buy you delicacies, but not appetite.

Money may buy you jewels, but not beauty.

Money may buy you a house, but not a home.

Money may buy you medicine, but not health.

Money may buy you frills, but not finesse.

Money may buy you fun, but not joy.

Money may buy you a cathedral, but not a ticket into heaven.

To be sure, many around us know that “Money is not everything in life.” But almost everyone would agree with Thomas Merton’s observations: these people are merely charging towards the path to making more money and satisfying the strong lust for material goods. Merton, a well-known spiritual theologian in his time, posed this simple question, “In my mind I know that life is not all about money. Why, then, am I am losing myself to it?” Possible reasons include:

First, the external causes. Wealth is seen to be of prime importance within our society at large; no one can get anywhere without it. Such herd awareness is driving the thoughts and minds of many people around us. This shows up in catchphrases being bandied around, e.g., “You need to own a house, otherwise, you would be miserable, and will have to stay single all your life.” Such collective consciousness has been drummed into each and very soul within our society. The upshot is money occupying centre stage in their minds all day long.

 Next, the internal causes. The sinful heart in man is home to a strong urge to possess, fired up with wanting for more: he believes that greater security is found in worldly possessions.

The third cause is money. As a symbol of power and influence, money becomes something to run after, or even to be adored. It accords one with a sense of freedom and independence -- I do not need to rely on anybody. Yes, I am my own boss! I can go anywhere I like. If my boss shows me attitude, I can always look him in the eye and say, “Stop giving that look for heaven’s sake! I am quitting my job on the spot, and I mean this very minute!” I can afford to do this because I have the money. I can fly to the States for a holiday tonight and buy a ticket any time if I so wish!

Money confers one with an indescribable sense of freedom and independence. There is no need to look up to any one, nor depend on the whims of others. If I have money, I will be the one who hires and fires. I can tell anyone not to show up here the next day. See? I am now the one who calls the shots.

The renowned psychologist Professor Dr Lee Salk had this in mind when he noted, “People go to great lengths to find how much money other people are making.  The reason for such an interest can be tracked to this: Wealth is the symbol of authority, influence and supremacy in our society. The amount of money that you make shows your importance, influence and your social position. Herein lies the reason why money is so attractive in this day and age.”

Why is it so difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God?

Let’s turn to the Bible in the book of Matthew chapter 19 verses 16-22 where the Bible records the exchange between a young man and Jesus Christ.

“Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

Jesus replied “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

 “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

 Then Jesus went on to say, “Truly I tell you; it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Why did the Lord say that it would be hard for the rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven? Note here, brothers and sisters. Jesus did not say that the rich cannot enter heaven. Instead, he pointedly said that it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. This is because the rich would usually be loaded a heavy burden of wealth on his back, but the gate to heaven is narrow. This makes it very tough for him to get through.

What is Jesus’ point here?

Firstly, the rich man is unable to set aside his time to hear the Word, as he wants to use the time to make more money. The Bible says that faith comes from hearing the message. How, then, can he believe in God? In Luke 14 Jesus tells of the story: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready. “But they all alike began to make excuses.

The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

Look here. People can quote one hundred and one reasons to turn away from their responsibilities. They blame it on their busy schedules for not being able to attend church. Since faith comes from hearing the message, how can the rich believe the Word in this case? Naturally it would be hard for the rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. In addition, the rich would exhaust every avenue to make more money, in order to protect what ever he already has. The stakes go up with each cycle; as a result, it is impossible for him to still his heart to stand before God and focus on His Word.

Secondly, the heart and mind of a rich man is completely overrun by wealth. The ears of such a person would be totally deaf to the gospel. Everything is at his beck and call. His soul is filled with nothing but wealth, as it is money that calls the shots. God is absent from his agenda; as for the gospel, well, no thanks.

Thirdly, wealth provides a false sense of assurance and freedom to the rich; he feels that he can do away with God. Such ‘sufficiency’ leads to conceit, urging him to walk into a dead end with a mindset lacking in humility but full of reluctance to hear the Word.

The above conversation took place between Jesus and a young officer, who asked what he must do to bring eternal life. Like the Pharisees of the day, the officer took obedience in the Law as a means to achieve eternal life. Jesus began by asking the man if he has obeyed the Ten Commandments that forbid killing, adultery, stealing, giving of false witnesses, honoring one’s parents. Jesus did not mention the phrase “do not covet", but used the alternative 'Love your neighbor as yourself’ in its place.  

Jesus seems to be aware that the crux of the problem lies in covetousness. However, our Lord did not correct him by using the negative expression “do not covet”. He advised him “to love your neighbours as yourself” instead. Unfortunately, this rich man brazenly replied, “All these I have kept”. Jesus then challenged him to “love his neighbour as himself”, i.e., “sell your possessions and give to the poor”. On hearing this, he walked away sadly, because he was very wealthy.

So, dear brothers and sisters, may these words be etched into our hearts: it is hard for a rich man to enter heaven. Do not be held back by your own wealth. You must put down what you possess, and pay attention to the gospel of God instead.

Let us pray

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us, because you have sent your Son to seek us. However, we have turned away from you because we love worldly possessions so much more. For this we seek your mercy, O Lord! We pray that you open the eyes of our souls to seek wisdom and attain understanding beyond the superficiality of what we see. May we find eternal life. Lead every one of us, bless every one of us too. In the name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen.

 
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Recommendations by Rev. Dr Caleb SOO Lee Chong

The three books “The Gospel for the Modern Man”, “Faith of the Modern Believer” and “Values for the Modern Disciple” by Rev. Dr Caleb SOO Lee Chong are worthy books to edify disciples. In order to minimize differences in the qualities amongst Christians, our churches need to set up basic courses to address these issues. In turn, this will enable all disciples to incorporate their faith into their lives and allow changes to take place through renewal of minds. May God make use of these basic courses to edify more disciples to strengthen His soldiers and claim victory on His battle-ground!

The three books “The Gospel for the Modern Man”, “Faith of the Modern Believer” and “Values for the Modern Disciple” are suitable course materials for anyone who wish to acquire understanding of the Christian faith in a more comprehensive manner. The contents are easy to grasp and relate to the real world that we are living in. They are written with an eye for the man-in-the-street and explore how to make our faith come alive in our daily social interactions.

In particular, these are suitable if you  

1. are someone who wants to understand the Christian faith or,

2. are someone who has just accepted the Christian faith or,

3. have been a Christian for many years but still hungering for a firmer grounding in the faith or,

4. are a pastor or co-worker who plans to use these materials for teaching purposes.

If you need to take up learning or use these materials in a systematic manner, please us contact at this email address.： [email protected]