In This Issue

• JESUS AND THE RICH YOUNG RULER
• 2 CORINTHIANS 9:13
• I AM THANKFUL...
• UPCOMING GOSPEL MEETING SCHEDULE
• MORE INFORMATION...

JESUS AND THE RICH YOUNG RULER

As Jesus "was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may have eternal life?' So Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not bear false witness," "Do not defraud," "Honor your father and your mother."' And he answered and said to Him, 'Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.' Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.' But he was sad at this word, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions." (Mark 10:17-22).

Matthew and Luke describe this man as young. Luke tells us he was a ruler. The word he uses indicates an official in the local government with more authority than a judge to whom the magistrate remitted cases. This was quite an accomplishment for a young man in that day, when age was respected and those who were older were looked to for leadership. 

Each of the three inspired records adds details that are helpful, but Mark's account is my personal favorite. From mark we learn that the rich young ruler came running to Jesus. Apparently the thought of eternal life excited him. It is also from Mark that we learn that when he came to Jesus, he knelt down before Him.

There are two indications that the rich young ruler recognized the Deity of Jesus. (1) He knelt before Him, and (2) He called Him "good." And Jesus accepted the young man's worship. We suggest that Jesus' conversation with the young man as to why he had called Him "good" was not to suggest that he had been mistaken - but was simply to say, "Do you realize the impact of what you are saying?" This question becomes important when we note that Jesus, the One he had knelt before and called "good" was about to tell the young man something he was not willing to accept. How can one really accept Jesus' Deity and yet not follow His instructions?

Mark makes two other arresting statements: (1) that Jesus love the rich young ruler and said to him, "One thing you lack." Many in our society assume that if you love someone, you never correct him. (2) The young man "went away grieved, for he had great possessions." In our materialistic age we tend to think that having great possessions would insure happiness. But, the rich young ruler had chosen the course that can never bring real fulfillment. 

By all appearances the young man was morally upright. He was religiously inclined. At least mentally, he acknowledged the authority of Jesus, and he had enough interest in eternal life to inquire into the subject. But he was not willing to put God first. He kept trusting in his riches, and inevitably he went away grieved.

--Clarence R. Johnson

2 CORINTHIANS 9:13

To the Corinthians, Paul writes, "For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God; seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all" (2 Corinthians 9:12-13). 

In recent years, this passage has been used in order to prove the contribution of the church can be used to help not only needy saints, but also "all" those who are not Christians. The passage is interpreted to mean that the Corinthian collection went to help needy Christians - "unto them", and "unto all" - all of mankind. 

We must first notice how the little word "all" is used in Scripture. It is limited by its context. For example, Paul says, "All things are lawful unto me..." (1 Corinthians 6:12). We know Paul is not literally saying "everything" is lawful, because of Paul's next statement: "...but not all things are expedient." This accompanying statement limits or sets the boundary for understanding "all things are lawful." Properly understood, we know Paul is separating "expedient" things, from the realm of "lawful" things, not advocating that "everything" is "lawful." 

When hearing the words of the two angels after Jesus' resurrection, the women "returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest" (Luke 24:9). To whom do "all the rest" refer? Everyone in Jerusalem? We might assume this if it were not for other passages limiting the field. First, we know the apostles were chosen from the group of the Lord's "disciples" (Luke 6:13). Second, the women "ran to bring his disciples word" (Matthew 28:7). Therefore, we rightly conclude the "apostles" (the eleven) were told, and all the rest of the Lord's "disciples", not all the rest of the general public in Jerusalem. 

As we have seen in the "all things are lawful" (1 Corinthians 6:13) and "all the rest" (Luke 24:9), the "all" of 2 Corinthians 9:13 is likewise limited by context. This is seen when we observe the purpose for the collection. Seven times (Romans 15:25, 26, 31; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 9:1,12) we learn this contribution is gathered for the "saints." It was for ministering to "the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem" (Romans 15:26). 

Paul also makes it clear he wanted to avoid any mishandling of this collection and desired to do things honorable in the sight of the Lord and all men (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). Surely, Paul carried out the expressed purpose of the churches - to help the needy saints in Jerusalem, and did not arbitrarily change the stated purpose by giving the collection to others. 

In this collection, there is also emphasis placed upon the fact Gentiles had the opportunity to help their Jewish brethren (Romans 15:27). Being "one man" in Christ was being elevated from the theoretical, to the practical. Would brethren give of their means to help brethren who were not of their cultural background? The test is on! 

As our text says, the collection of the church was "proving...the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ...". In return, God would receive "many thanksgivings." Abundant thanksgivings, resulting from brethren helping their brothers in Christ, were heightened by knowing the contributors were Gentiles, and the recipients were Jews. What a wonderful picture of the oneness in the family of God! 

To whom then does "unto them" and "unto all" refer? Respecting the context, we put the pieces together. The needy saints in Jerusalem thank God for the fact that His people, even the Gentiles, are willing to give "unto them" - Jewish Christians, and if to them, certainly "unto all" - Christians who make up the family of God. 

This explanation respects the fact that "all" is limited by context; does no violence to the expressed purpose for the collection; places emphasis upon the importance of the new relationship between Jewish and Gentile Christians, as the gospel was spreading over the earth; and is consistent with other accounts indicating the collection from churches went to help needy saints, not the whole world. 

--Jerry Fite

I AM THANKFUL...

For the wife who says it's hot dogs tonight because she is home with me, not with someone else. 

For the husband who is on the sofa who is being a couch potato cause he is home with me and not out at the bars. 

For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because that means she is at home, not on the streets. 

For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed. 

For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends. 

For the clothes that fit a little too tight, because it means I have enough to eat. 

For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine. 

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home. 
For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech. 

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation. 

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm. 

For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear. 

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear. 

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means that I have been capable of working hard. 

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive. 

And finally...for too much e-mail, because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

--from Tim Smith's daily humor list (thanks to lbs)

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