going out of business sale
"How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" —Mark 10:23
"You cannot give yourself to God and money" (Mt 6:24). Although few admit it, money is God's greatest competition, that thing which we are most tempted to put ahead of God. Money is the means to pleasure and a life of self-satisfaction. Money facilitates worship of self.
Consequently, many young rich men and women continue to walk sadly away from Jesus (Mk 10:22). Like Judas, many commonly sell Jesus for a few pieces of silver (Mt 26:15) or even for the petty pleasures that money can buy. For example, Esau sold out for just a bowl of red soup (Gn 25:30-31).
"The love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Tm 6:10). It all comes down to God or money, lifestyle, and self. We must consider "riches nothing in comparison" with God (Wis 7:8) and consider God's word "more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces" (Ps 119:72). We must "put aside everything to follow" Jesus (Mk 10:28).
Prayer: Jesus, I choose You over pleasure.
Promise: "God's word is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates and divides soul and spirit." —Heb 4:12
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Who gave His all for the incomparable treasure of our salvation. Alleluia!
Reference: (For help in choosing God over money, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these tapes: Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 3, 2009
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