The Passage Mark 10 : 17-31

If a person or a company is wealthy and has earned their money, they are automatically labelled a “big business” and are brutally criticized for not allowing others to have a chance in the “game of life”. In this view, having money makes a person a monster, only focusing on themselves and what they can do to get even bigger. Another popular view of money is that if a person or a business is not making enough money that they are either not skilled enough to get a high paying job or they are too lazy to get a better one. There are flaws in both views. Acts 20:35 says, “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” God wants us to help those who need aren’t making enough money to make ends meet; however, He does not discourage against people being rewarded for their hard work and labor. Nonetheless, putting all happiness, faith, and dependence in money is dangerous and can lead to greed and selfishness because that is all the person has to look for. Instead of looking for happiness in money and wealth, people can start choosing the eternity of happiness that is found in Jesus

In warning about the evils of greed, Jesus used a parable: “There was a rich man blessed with [fertile land.] He thought to himself, ‘What will I do? I have no place to keep all my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘I know what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger barns! I will put all my good things together in my new barns. Then I can say…Rest, eat, drink, and enjoy life!’“But God said to that man, ‘Foolish man! Tonight you will die!... Who will get [your things] now?’ This is how it will be for anyone who saves things only for himself. To God that person is not rich.” (Luke 12:13 21)

The author perpetuates his Christian viewpoint that it is not Godly to strive towards riches, or to obtain an abundance of material possessions on earth, but more important to seek the rewards in Heaven (Lines 27-28). Additionally, the Bible teaches, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). His perception is that every man should be being Christ-like by heading Jesus’ warning, “You, my

Reverend Young addresses Christians about wealth inequality as he states that Jesus cared for the poor and consequently, followers of the faith have an obligation to do the same.

Jesus knew that it was important to help others, but He also knew it was important to take care of His self and spend alone time with God. In establishing boundaries, it can become challenging to discover the balance of caring for "self" needs and "other's" needs. Often in the church, it can become a struggle for some to say "no" if one does not have healthy boundaries set, but even Jesus said no to things that crossed His boundaries. Jesus demonstrates

The Threat of losing money or the promise of gaining money can lead to people taking actions in relationships they otherwise wouldn’t have, do things they would normally never do, and act against people that they love. And the actions that they take can lead a person adversely affecting their own life and the lives of others. Money, in the sources referenced, is seen as a force that drives people to harm themselves and others in the pursuit of a better life. Money is also seen as something that makes people think that they have to do what they do, that their actions that might have ruined or even ended their of other people's lives were necessary actions. Money can make people create relationships with people who they would normally avoid.

Furthermore, when considering this case against what we find in the Holy Bible, we discover that God is warning us not to set our hearts and minds on what we can get for ourselves. But rather, He is telling us that we need to be “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21, New International Version). In addition, when we examine another area of the Bible, we find that we cannot serve God and money concurrently; we can either serve one or the other (Matthew 6:24). The idea is that we follow the second commandment; and that is to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). Therefore, the overarching theme here in this case is yes, there is a lot of money at stake; however, we must examine our motives and determine whether or not taking that money is in the best interest of everyone. I believe that this approach pleases the Lord.

Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount on a hillside near Capernaum. This “sermon” probably covered several days of preaching. In it, Jesus proclaimed his attitude toward the law. Position, authority, and money are not important in his kingdom – what matters is faithful obedience from the heart. The Sermon on the Mount challenged the proud and legalistic religious leaders of the day. It called them back to the messages of the Old Testament prophets who, like Jesus, taught that heartfelt obedience is more important than legalistic observance. With Jesus’ announcement that the kingdom was near. People were naturally asking, “How do I qualify to be in God’s kingdom?” Jesus said that God’s kingdom is organized differently from worldly kingdoms. In the kingdom of heaven, wealth and power and authority are unimportant. Kingdom people seek different blessings and benefits, and they have different attitudes.

In cases of severe poverty and suffering, people may often find themselves asking, “where is God?” People often challenge the church as well as God’s power and wonder how such suffering could be. God has a plan for everyone and provides faith for those in impoverished situations, but can not control every poor decision made that sends such an unfortunate number of humans into despair. Jesus, who was poor himself, focused on the poor and suffering people, and any legitimate church will provide help to those who have historically been marginalized or deprived of their rights. All church doctrine should grow out of the perspective of the poor. Defending the rights of the poor is seen as the central aspect of the gospel.Chapter four of Elizabeth

17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 18Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ 20He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ 21Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come,

Christianity is not supposed to be for the rich but instead, for all believe in Him (Proverbs 8:17, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans

The poor are to be special beneficiaries of his Good News” (page 154). Jesus served the poor and what others thought to be the unreachable and so should we if we are to truly serve.

Investigation of How Mark Shows the Difference Between Jesus and the Pharisees Over the Observance of the Sabbath

All throughout the beatitudes there seems to be the theme that it does not matter what is on the outside, but God sees and is only concerned with the inside of his children. Their hearts and their souls. It doesn't appear God cares much for material wealth or success in the world, but more so for what is in mans heart. Luke suggests ‘the poor' should be monetarily poor, and if they have any wealth they should give it all up to those more needy to give glory to God. Money and wealth may be seen by some as a sign of being in God's favor with darker signs and adversity a sign of some sort of punishment. Which should not be the case at all, Matthew seems to add "in spirit" more to identify wealth and social status is not the standard by which God will judge. Money and wealth do have an

Verse 30 in the gospel of Mark is an independent saying in the parable although it ties with the current verse, both using the phrase “these things.” It gives the disciples of an answer to “When?” Also gives them a time frame of when these things would happen. Jesus gives an obvious time frame by saying “this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. What generation does Jesus refer to? It is said that it cannot be the generation of the disciples, because they did not see the triumphant return of Jesus. Therefore, it must be the generation that sees these signs. These events and Jesus’ return won’t be on some 1,000-year