A life of purpose vs. the love of material riches

In Mark 10:17-27, a young rich man approaches Jesus with the hope of finding eternal life. Based on the text, we can only assume that the young man was looking for something 'greater' in spite of having material riches.

Have you ever felt that way? That feeling that comes in yourself and which keeps reminding you that there is a greater purpose beyond your job, your money, your social position and everything you own.

The young rich man was thirsty and his riches could not quench his thirst. By the time he meets Jesus, he inquires about finding a greater life than the one he already has. Just like many people are wondering if there is more than just the life they are living behind a work desk at a job that does not fulfill them, just like the trader making millions at Wall street and still nurturing a fire inside himself for a fulfilling life.

You see ,my friend, in most cases when people were engaging with to Jesus, it was because something was missing in their lives or a deep void inside them needed to be filled with an answer. Such was the case of Nicodemus, a chief Rabbi who went to see Jesus at night. In spite of having access to the Torah, he still had a deep void that he could not fill. Out of Nicodemus curiosity, we have in record the greatest doctrinal verse of Christianity: John 3:16. What about the Samaritan woman at the well with Jesus in John 4? While she engaged with Jesus, she discovers that there is a much greater water than the one she usually draws. In the same fashion that many of us have realized, while engaging with Jesus, that there is a life beyond that secure job, beyond the women, beyond the luxury cars, beyond our money, beyond what we usually earn. The Samaritan woman had five husbands and the man she was living with was a 'live-in-boyfriend' ('you know that style..yeah...).

Now, since the text does not give us details of her marital misfortunes, I would not really know the roots cause of it. But based on personal experience, I can you tell you this:' when somebody is hopping from one point to another in a constant fashion, it is because they are seeking to fill a void in their lives. There is a constant thirst that can't be quenched. As a result, they become job hoppers (I used to be a master in that), church hoppers, ministry hoppers, relationship hoppers...jumping from one point to another. In her engagement, the Samaritan woman got her response on the living waters and a greater doctrinal truth on worship ( John 4:24).

Now, just to return to the story of the young rich ruler, this is what I concluded:

'The young man had a lot of riches but he was seeking a greater life, a purpose. While engaging with Jesus, the conversation started as an inquiry from the young man but ended as a job interview from Jesus. Notice that in Mark 10:21, the Bible says that 'Jesus felt a love for him'. At that point, Jesus tries to recruit the young rich ruler in his team. Those who are in recruitment business know well that it is possible to recruit somebody simply because we like them. I did that many times while working as a business manager.

But during Jesus recruitment, there was one thing that was holding the process: 'they young man's attachment to his riches.' You see, it is easy to either misread or judge the young ruler but truth being said, many of us are very similar to him. Many cling on material stuff (credit cards cards,loans, wrong careers, locations...) simply because they love them more than the life of purpose that God has for them. I said this out of personal experience, in most cases, if you want to enter your God-given purpose, you will have to give up on something and even some people. You will have to leave something on the table and walk away. Now, very few people pass the test of material attachment. This explains why most people are unsatisfied with their jobs:they can't follow the call of God and they rather cling on security.

And the call of God is not only about becoming a full time preacher. The call of God could be anything that He wants us to be: a sports player, a judge, a lawyer, a restaurateur, a politician, etc... We all have to live according to the call placed upon us.

The young ruler could have been an Apostle and make a mark in history but he chose his material riches instead.

Let me end my post with this story: 'Around 2011, I used to frequent a local library in my neighborhood. An old lady used to work as a librarian and her retirement year was coming soon. One day while I was borrowing books, we engaged in a conversation and she told how she was convinced that her gift was into medical nursing but she stuck herself in a librarian career just to pay bills and keep her house since 1981... upon hearing that story,I realized how much the attachment we give to riches can deviate us from true life.

To you, I say: 'go live your purpose. Do not let what you own become greater than the life God has in store for you'. As you do so' you won't regret it.