"Tell them to use their money to do good"

The disaster in Haiti has caused me to do a lot of thinking about the poor people in this world and my responsibility. Doesn’t Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man (Mark. 10:21) cause you to squirm? The young man’s love of his riches kept him out of the kingdom of God. Some teachers try to downplay Jesus’ strict words by saying this command was only for that particular rich man. But in fact, Jesus later told ALL His followers to sell their possessions, and give the money to charity (Luke 12:33). Warning His disciples of the perils of prosperity—"How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God… easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” (Mark 10:23).

Do you realize we who live in America are the wealthiest, most advantaged people on the earth? Almost half the world (over three billion people) lives on less than $2.50 a day. At least 80% lives on less than $10 a day. We in the United States are, at the very least, in that top 20%, and more likely in the top 10 or even 5% of the world’s wealthiest.

Jesus’ expectation of His followers is sobering. How will we answer Jesus when He asks us what we did with our wealth? God has entrusted us with great wealth not to be consumers, but givers. Paul instructed Timothy: “Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them” (1 Timothy 6:18 NLT).