March 3, 2010 Reading - Mark 10:17-31

As we read the story of the rich young man, we might be tempted to think of other people who put money or material possessions before God, but as Americans, we must recognize that we are in the top 2% or so of the richest people in the world. We are the rich young man in the story. Perhaps this is why Christianity is blossoming in countries we might not have imagined, Africa, China, the Soviet Union, but is waning in the US. We have it too good. We often don't recognize our need for God or are too busy with our stuff (TV, the internet, ipods, cell phones, etc.) to focus on Him.

Perhaps as we approach Easter it would be a good idea for us to give something up and use the time we would have spent on that thing to focus on God? (a Lent-type sacrifice)

What would you be willing to give up?