Finding a New Sense of Values

Luke 12:19, 20; 18:24-30; 19:1-10

GOLDEN TEXT: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”—Romans 14:17

JESUS’ instructions to his disciples concerning their privileges of sacrifice were not intended to serve as a guide to the whole world. To understand these instructions in their true light it is essential to realize that the Master was introducing the work of the Gospel age, which, in the divine plan, has been an age of faith and self-sacrifice for the people of God. Jesus himself sacrificed all, even life itself; and his followers have been invited to walk in his steps. Indeed, one cannot be a true follower of Jesus without presenting his body a living sacrifice.—Rom. 12:1

The parable of the man who enlarged his barns in order to store up plenty for his ease and comfort is intended as a lesson for those who enter into a covenant of sacrifice with the Lord. The man in this parable gained much in material goods, but they proved to be of temporary value, for he lost his own life, or soul, hence was not permitted to enjoy that for which he had labored.

This does not mean that every man or woman who seeks riches will be suddenly smitten with death. Rather, the lesson is directed to consecrated followers of Jesus who have covenanted to give up all in his service. For them to devote their entire attention to the securing of earthly gain means the breaking of their covenant with God, hence the loss of their spiritual hopes—and eventually, if their unfaithfulness continues, the loss of eternal life.

It is true of this age that the church’s association in the kingdom of God is not from the standpoint of material gain—not “meat and drink,” as the Golden Text indicates—because the followers of Jesus are promised a share in the spiritual ruling phase of that kingdom upon the basis of their willingness to sacrifice all things earthly and to set their affections upon things above, not on things of the earth.—Col. 3:1,2

But this viewpoint will not hold true in connection with the subjects who are to be blessed under the administration of that kingdom. Of these it is said, that “they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.” Of that time it is also said that “they shall not plant and another eat,” nor “build and another inhabit,” but shall “long enjoy the works of their hands.”—Isaiah 65:21,22

The rich young ruler was sorrowful because the terms of discipleship were so exacting. The disciples, not yet Spirit-begotten, hearing these terms outlined to the young man, inquired of the Master, “Who then can be saved?” If salvation depended upon making such drastic sacrifice as Jesus stated to this rich young man, that is, giving up of all his riches, and taking up his cross and following the Master into death, it seemed to them that most men and women would be unable to meet the terms. And they were right.

What the disciples did not at that time understand was that these were the terms of the narrow way of sacrifice in which those must walk who will qualify to live and reign with Jesus in the spiritual phase of his kingdom. This IS to be a “little flock” indeed, a little flock nevertheless willing to lose sight of all else besides that of knowing and doing God’s will. (Luke 12:32) When the disciples asked Jesus, “Who then can be saved?” his answer was, “With God all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:25,26) What he, evidently meant was that the vision of truth God would grant to the called ones, and the power of the Holy Spirit working in their consecrated lives after accepting the call to discipleship, would inspire them to make any sacrifice, even the supreme sacrifice of life itself, that they might know him and the power of his resurrection, being made conformable unto his death.—Matt. 3:10

“How hardly shall a rich man enter into the kingdom of heaven,” is the observation Jesus made when the young ruler showed his unwillingness to give up all that he had. Not many of the great and rich of this world have been willing to pay the price of true discipleship, but some have. There was Zacchaeus, for instance, even in Jesus’ day, who told the Master that he had been contributing half of his goods for the benefit of the poor, and this he had been doing without any suggestion from Jesus that he do so. In addition to this, he said he did more than make right any wrong he had done to others—restoring fourfold what had been exacted by him. “This day is salvation come to this house.”—Luke 19:9

To this Jesus added that the “Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) All lost life through Adam, and all will have an opportunity to be restored to life through Christ. In this instance Jesus seems to be placing the emphasis upon the fact that Zacchaeus recognized his lost condition, and his need for the help which he believed Jesus could give him. This recognition of need is prerequisite to the obtaining of the true riches of God’s favor, whether in this age, or the next.

QUESTIONS:

Will the rigid terms of discipleship laid down by Jesus apply to those who travel over the highway of holiness in the next age?

Will it be wrong in the next age for the restitution class to set their affections upon the things of the earth?

What is meant by the statement in today’s lesson that the “Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost”?

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