Divorce was a huge issue when He spoke these words and it is a huge issue today. The heart behind the teaching...marriage was God's idea, not ours. We take an authority that is not ours to take when we end a marriage for reasons other than the one Jesus spells out here - sexual immorality. People who live in the Kingdom of God know that marriage is a huge decision and do not enter a marriage without much prayer and counsel. People who live in the Kingdom of God believe that "I do" means "I do...forever" and order their marriage and lives accordingly. If we are to have a voice of influence in this matter, then Jesus followers must make better decisions when it comes to entering a marriage relationship and must show greater resolve and commitment when it comes to making a marriage work.
Wealth is the other big issue Jesus deals with in this chapter. Do you know how to be rich? If not, then you better figure it out because you are rich. Chances are pretty high that you make more money than 98% of the rest of the world. And, as you know, often times the more money you have and the more stuff you have, the more complicated life becomes. People who live in the Kingdom of God manage and spend their money differently. They live with less so they can give more. They know that all they have is given by God to be used for His Kingdom.
Read Matthew 19 and journal your thoughts. Feel free to share some of your thoughts and questions here in the comment section.
In the areas of marriage and money, we have tremendous opportunities to set an example of what living in the Kingdom of God looks like.
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1 comment:
Lauren and I have been reading/listening alot to Randy Alcorn's stuff on money. Quite challenging. The rich young ruler couldn't walk away. How many in the church are doing the same thing? It's scary...
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