Befriend the Rich and Powerful

Our men’s group is going through Scott Saul’s book, “Befriend”. On 3 Jan I taught  the lesson on “Befriend the Rich and Powerful”. It was interesting, because all of us in the study group, could justifiably be called “rich”.  Instead of focusing on the book, my mind immediately went to the Scripture dealing with money.  Most everyone is passingly familiar with the 1 Timothy 6 passage that “the LOVE of money is the root of evil”.

This is an important passage, but maybe more important is the ending of the rich young ruler story (Lk 18).  At the end of the story, after Jesus has seen the young man go away “grieved, for he had much wealth”, Jesus remarks, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of G^d”.

“Then who can be saved?” asked the disciples.

“What is impossible with men, is possible with G^d.” says Jesus.

Thanks be to G^d for that.

But let’s consider for a minute. Wherever I travel, I find that MOST people have a strong desire to be rich.  Yep, despite the Biblical warnings, everyone figures they will be the ONE to be rich, but do it correctly!

There are several more easily located Scriptures dealing with rich folk. In Luke 12 we get the story of the rich man who tore down his barns to increase his wealth stores…but he was a fool, because he was scheduled to die.  Then we have in Luke 16 about the rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen, but who wound up tormented in hell, whilst poor Lazarus lay in Abraham’s bosom in heaven.

But, enough said, let’s get to the punch line.  Back in I Tim 6: we read the instructions to the wealthy.  They are to: “do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves…”.

Okay, rich friends, “You go, and do likewise”.  (Lk 10:37)