Coffee With The Lord

Materialism is a subtle (on second thought, perhaps a not so subtle) idolatry!  Trouble is, you can be scrupulously religious and be as materialistic as Scrooge McDuck (you know the cartoon character… the guy that frolics in his piles of money and stuff).

There was a good look’n young leader in Israel that asked Jesus one day what he had to DO to inherit eternal life (you DO know that money can’t buy it, don’t you?).  Jesus identified a few well known commandments for him to consider… (Remember, this guy was not only wealthy, he was very religious).  His answer?  “Got it covered, Jesus!  Done all of those things since I was a kid!) 

Did I say, this young man was VERY wealthy?  At that point Jesus put his finger on his problem… the “subtle idolatry” … Jesus said, “One thing you still lack.  Sell ALL that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven… and then come follow me.”

The young leader?  The Bible says, “When he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich!”

Then Jesus followed up with an extremely important spiritual lesson:  He said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!  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!”  And then made a qualifying statement when those who heard his statement exclaimed in shock, “Then who can be saved?!” … Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God!”  In other words, MONEY AND POSSESSIONS DON’T HAVE TO BE THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY OFTEN ARE! (from Luke 18:18-30)

My opinion?  This is often a problem for American Christians… because of the “possessions orientedness” of our culture, it is very easy for American Christians to be materialistic (the “subtle idolatry”).  Many American Christians wouldn’t think of bowing to a lifeless idol (that’s pagan!) but their entire lives are consumed by the pursuit and preoccupation with money and possessions.

I don’t know if I can say this kindly or not… IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR MANY OF THEM TO SPEND A MONTH IN THE HOME OF A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF JESUS IN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY.  I’ve been there… It’ll change you!  They exhibit a deep love for Jesus, overflowing generosity, abounding joy, and have nearly nothing in worldly possessions!

Oh Lord, I want to learn the lesson from the story of “the rich young ruler!”  I’m determined, with God’s help to avoid, “THE SUBTLE IDOLATRY!”  Hey, I’m trying to remember Jesus’s words… “A PERSON’S LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST IN THE ABUNDANCE OF HIS POSSESSIONS!” (Luke 12:15)

Jesus had time for children!  In fact He prioritized them!!

“Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them to him, saying, “LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME, AND DO NOT HINDER THEM, FOR TO SUCH BELONGS THE KINGDOM OF GOD!  Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:15–17 ESV)

It’s incredible what the Lord can orchestrate and do!

I’ve been reading the book Ruth – It contains the story of Naomi (and her daughter-in-law, Ruth) in the Bible…

Naomi lived during the difficult time of the Judges in Israel and had to, along with her husband and two sons, leave her homeland because of a famine and move to Moab. There her husband, Elimelech, died… and if that wasn’t bad enough, her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, also died. Life for widows in that culture were incredibly challenging! They were often left penniless and vulnerable! Naomi not only was left without her husband and sons, she had herself and her two daughters-in-laws, Orpah and Ruth, to be concerned about! She heard a report that things had improved in Israel, so she decided to return there. Orpah decided to stay in Moab, but loyal Ruth committed to stay with Naomi.

Upon returning to Israel, frustrated, fearful, and struggling with bitterness, Naomi told her old friends, “Do not call me Naomi, call me Mara (meaning “Bitter,” for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me! I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me!” (1:20-21)

So what to do? Naomi urged her daughter-in-law, Ruth, to draw upon the compassion offered the poor by gleaning grain in the fields of the farmers. Ruth “happened upon” the field of a wealthy farmer, Boaz, and was treated compassionately and generously by him and his laborers. Boaz, just happened to be the near relative of Naomi’s family! In Jewish law, a near relative was referred to as a “kinsman redeemer” and had not only the right to purchase the property of a deceased male family member, but also the responsibly of taking the wife of the deceased and perpetuating the family name.

Wealthy Boaz officially arranged for this with Ruth! They were married and the story ends like this…

“So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.’ Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David… Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David!” (From Ruth 4:13–18 ESV) [And Jesus, was the “son of David,” the Messiah and our Savior!]

Now how good is that?! Naomi, the one who wanted to change her name to Mara (meaning “Bitter”) becomes mother-in-law to the richest, most influential man in the area, and Ruth, her daughter-in-law, bears a son who is in the line of King David… and ultimately Jesus Christ, our Savior!

I don’t know what you might be going through right now, but your present situation is not the final story with God in charge! There is hope! In the words of Apostle Paul, “He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us!” (Ephesians 3:20) And we are “More than conquerors through Him who loved us” and “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:37-39) So here is my advice… Don’t panic! Don’t get bitter! Give your situation to God, trust the Lord, and see what He will do! He can turn “Mara” into miracles!