"What's the cost? What's it worth?

Who’se the greatest? - those with wealth? and the power and influence to use their wealth? Jesus has challenged ideas about belonging, brought children before them, talked about service, about losing life, he has pointed to the outcast and the vulnerable and still we think that God’s blessing comes in the form of wealth and power and influence.

The man wanted to follow Jesus - but at what cost? was it worth it? - all his possessions given to the poor just didn’t seem worth it - and so he goes away - goes through life sad - he is looking for liberation - but is not prepared to pay the price. Being rich is not the problem - it is what he does with his wealth and what his wealth does to him that is the problem - it binds him, it possesses him - he is no different to those who are filled with demons, But the cost of healing is too much and values his possessions more than the life Jesus offers.

Amos has no problem with wealth either - just how it’s gained and how it is maintained - do we trample on the poor? - no? what about cheap clothes, cheap food - at whose cost? is it worth it? Where are our pension funds and savings invested? Do we maintain our wealth with injustice and fraud? Can we walk with Jesus and trample on the poor? - the rich man realises that he can’t and chooses his wealth before the walk

Good teacher - only God is good - I have kept all the commandments - then do this - how can any of us be saved? All things are possible with God - grace ... undeserved, unearned, love that throws open the gates of the Kingdom to all who will enter - yet for those who hang on to wealth and power and influence as markers of status and blessing it will feel like trying to steer a camel through the eye of a needle.