RADICAL GENEROSITY

Text: MARK 10:17-22

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. 'Good teacher,' he asked, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?'

'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: "You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother."'

'Teacher, he declared, 'all these I have kept since I was a boy.Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor; you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'

At this, the man's face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth."

In this passage, we witness the interaction between Jesus and the rich man who approached Him seeking guidance on how to inherit eternal life.

Introduction:

Greetings Cristian Brethren, good morning! Today, we dig deeper into a profound encounter between Jesus and a wealthy man who sought to inherit the Kingdom of God. This encounter challenges us to examine our own lives and the role generosity plays in our pursuit of eternal life. Join me as we explore the transformative power of radical generosity and its impact on our spiritual journey.

I. The Rich Man's Inquiry:

A. In the Gospel of Mark 10:17-22, we find the rich man's inquiry story. He approached Jesus and asked, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" This question demonstrates his genuine desire to understand the path to salvation.

II. Jesus' Response:

A. In Mark 10:19-21, Jesus responds to the rich man's question by listing several commandments, such as not committing adultery, not stealing, not giving false testimony, and not defrauding others. The rich man confidently declares that he has kept these commandments since his youth.

B. However, in Mark 10:21, Jesus presents the rich man with a challenge: "One thing you lack: Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Jesus' words reveal the importance of radical generosity and placing God above material possessions.

III. The Rich Man's Reaction:

A. Mark 10:22 describes the rich man's reaction: "At this, the man's face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth." The rich man's attachment to his possessions hindered him from fully surrendering to Jesus' call to radical generosity.

IV. Lessons for Today:

A. The rich man's struggle reflects our own propensity to find security and significance in worldly possessions.

B. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus teaches, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This reminds us that our true treasure lies in heavenly riches, not earthly possessions.

V. Embracing Radical Generosity:

A. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, the apostle Paul instructs the rich to be generous and willing to share. By doing so, they lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age. This encourages us to cultivate a heart of radical generosity.

B. Proverbs 11:24-25 emphasizes the blessings that come from giving generously: "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

VI. The Transformative Power of Radical Generosity:

A. In Luke 12:33-34, Jesus says, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Radical generosity redirects our focus toward eternal

treasures and strengthens our trust in God's provision.

B. Acts 20:35 reminds us of Jesus' words: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Radical generosity not only benefits others but also deepens our own joy and fulfillment in Christ.

VII. Practical Steps Toward Radical Generosity:

A. Proverbs 3:9-10 encourages us to honor the Lord with our wealth and the first fruits of all our crops, acknowledging God's ownership over everything we possess.

B. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 teaches that God loves a cheerful giver and promises that those who sow generously will reap generously. This inspires us to cultivate a generous mindset and seek opportunities to give sacrificially.

VIII. Practical Applications:

A. While we may not possess vast material wealth like the rich man in the story, the underlying message goes beyond the act of selling possessions. It speaks to the core of our hearts and our willingness to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with God.

In the rich man's case, his attachment to his possessions prevented him from fully surrendering to Jesus' call. Similarly, each one of us faces different challenges and attachments that hinder our spiritual growth and intimacy with God. It could be a habit, an addiction, a mindset, or a desire that takes precedence over our devotion to Christ.

B. Denying ourselves and letting go of these things that hold us captive is an essential part of following Jesus. It is not solely about material possessions; it is about surrendering our entire lives to Him. Jesus Himself taught, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23).

We all have areas in our lives where we struggle to fully surrender to God's will. It could be pride, selfishness, greed, anger, or any other habit or inclination that keeps us from wholeheartedly following Jesus. The call to deny ourselves means recognizing these hindrances and actively seeking to overcome them through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Romans 12:2, we are reminded, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This renewal requires us to let go of the things we hold dear but that hinder our spiritual growth. It involves aligning our desires, thoughts, and habits with God's will.

C. Let us prayerfully reflect on our lives and identify the habits or attitudes that we cherish the most but hinder our walk with Christ. With God's help, we can surrender them to Him, asking for His strength and grace to overcome them. Through this process of denial and surrender, we open ourselves up to experience the fullness of life in Christ and grow closer to Him.

Remember, it is not the quantity or value of what we give up, but the posture of our hearts and our willingness to lay everything before Jesus. As we yield to His transforming power, He will lead us to a life of greater freedom, joy, and fulfillment in Him.

Conclusion:

The story of the rich man's encounter with Jesus challenges us to examine our hearts and priorities. By embracing radical generosity, we align ourselves with God's heart for justice, mercy, and compassion. Let us heed the words of Jesus, trusting in His faithfulness and allowing His love to flow through us. As we sell and give, we become conduits of His grace, transforming lives and ushering in the Kingdom of God on earth. May radical generosity mark our lives as we seek to inherit the eternal treasure found in Him.

By: Pastor John U. Ordillo