THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

189"When Jesus heard this, He said to him, 'You still lack one thing. Sell everythingyou have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come,follow Me' " (18:22)Mark points out that Jesus’ challenge and invitation was motivated by love. He “lookedat him and loved him” (Mk 10:21). What an opportunity this young man had! He could have hisdissatisfaction satisfied. He could experience the peace and joy of inheriting eternal life. Hecould join Jesus in His mission. He could be taught by HimTHE SAD REFUSAL (18:23)thatJesus’ radical call to discipleship was too costly for the rich young ruler. Luke points out"When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth."(18:23)Mark uses a very strong word which is translated “his face fell” (Mk 10:22). He wasdeeply grieved as he leaves Jesus and the disciples.Mammon or money has a way of corrupting or polluting us in that it tempts us tocompromise our values in order to gain and retain it."For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager formoney, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."(1 Ti 6:10)In C. S. Lewis’ book Screwtape Letters, Screwtape, the devil, perceptively states,“Prosperity knits a man to the World. He feels he is finding his place in it,’while really it is finding its place in him.” 2The Bible contains more warning about the dangers of wealth than about the pitfalls ofpoverty.Because he clutched to his idol—his wealth—he was unable to serve God.Our idol may not be possessions. Henry Kissinger’s idol is power. He affirms: