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It's still trying to be "good enough" to enter the Kingdom of God. It isn't relying fully on Jesus' sacrifice. He asked because He really wanted him to follow Him & learn from Him. It also was a revealer--revealed his true heart. Jesus believed it was possible for him to give up all for Him and was offering him the chance. He knew he couldn't deliver. He couldn't let loose of his "god."

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Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion?

Not trying to change the thought, however there is a poverty that makes a Believer rich: Matthew 5:3 (poverty of Spirit), Proverbs 19:1, 22, this kind of poverty can be of benefits to relationships.

In regards to poverty and self-sacrifice being an inadequate religious conviction, mainly because it would not be genuine, sincere and of the wrong motive. Disingenuous, insincere and self-seeking motives do not reflect the character of God. If none of these reflect God's character then they are not adequate nor pleasing to Him.

Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him?

Jesus asked the man because he was as the lost sheep of the ninety and nine. because the young man was a soul to be saved, because it is not Gods desire that any should perish. So that he would not only see the Light, but that he would learn of the Light and as well WALK in the Light.

In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered?

The later part of Matthew 11:11 "not withstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (John the Baptizer). For before him was one greater the temple (Matthew 12:6) greater than Jonas (Matthew 12:41, wiser than Solomon (Matthew 12:42). He had the opportunity to learn from and of the All wise, and the Truth.

Why did he reject the offer?

Influence from the lesser spirit. There is no indication that he was willing to deny self, to follow Christ, to take up the cross. He went away and not with Jesus. It is implied that his heart went where his treasure was. [My hopes are that he changed prior to closing his eye in sleep].

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

We learn from the Old Testament as well as our own consciences that our deeds of righteousness are as filth rags to God. There is no sacrifice we can make that is adequate. Our motives are self serving and our hearts are deceptive.

Jesus asked this man to follow Him to bring him to a point of deliberate decision. He lead this man to the place of making a choice. The choice he made was tragic. I wonder if he knew how tragic it really was. Do we know the full consequence of some of the choices we make that undermine the Lordship of Jesus in our lives?

The great exchange. If this man had traded all he had for all Jesus had to offer, what a privelege. This same privilege is offered to each of us today. He rejected the offer because of fear. A fear rooted in spiritual blindness. He could not see what Jim Eliot saw when he wrote, "He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose".

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

We cannot love God with all our heart and yet keep our money to ourselves. Loving him totally means using our money in ways that please him.

This man

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Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion?

If poverty and self-sacrifice were the only requirements to loving Churst Jesus many of us would have always been qualified.....but it is something deep in the heart, in the mind...of laying down anything we put before God in order to serve Him more dearly.

Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him?

He is asking him to follow Him to be one of His disciples....waht a joy this would have been to the young ruler.

In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered?

This young man would have been one of the ones that followed Jesus.....learned at His feet and then spread the gospel to others.

Why did he reject the offer?

He could not walk away from the riches or position he held....so he walked away from Jesus.

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? We will still be relying on our own understanding and efforts to be forgiven of our sins, which is something we cannot do on our own, no matter how hard we try. Instead of humbling ourselves before God, it will make us self-righteous.

Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? Jesus did not want the man to have a religion. He wanted the young man to be discipled by him - to see for himself the life of Jesus and to learn from him. He wanted to set the young man free from his prison of wealth.

In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Jesus was personally teaching the man. He would be embarking on a spiritual journey with Jesus. He would be ministering besides Jesus and would experience the miracles Jesus performed. He would enjoy the company and presence of Jesus and the other disciples. He would belong to a larger family - the body of Christ. He would be much richer than all his earthly riches could offer because of the hope and promises he had in Jesus.

Why did he reject the offer? His wealth had become his god. He had become so accustomed to the luxuries lifestyle, he would rather be starved spiritually. He wanted to cling on to the respect and approval of man which he was getting as a wealthy young ruler.

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

This really does not have anything to do with poverty or wealth. It has everything to do with the purpose to which we serve. The poor as well as the rich can be either selfish or generous. The poor widow who gave all she had and the obviously, somewhat wealthy Samaritan merchant, who helped the injured traveler were equally unselfish.

The reason Jesus asked the man to sell all he had was only to point out that you cannot serve God by simply not breaking God's laws. Along with being obedient to the law is the second commandment that Jesus gives, "love your neighbor as yourself". He says that this law is as equally as important as being obedient to all the other laws.

You are right it was a great privilege Jesus offered this young man, but it is no greater than the same offer we have to follow Him today. I believe the greater question is why do so many reject (based on actions) the same offer we have?

Darrell

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

Because our salvation is an undeserved gift given by the grace of God, not merited by any works of our own hands.

Because Jesus loves the man, as he loves everyone, so much that we can't really even understand it. Because Jesus wants the man in the Kingdom with Him, just as He wants everyone to share that fellowship. Because the only way to the Kingdom is by following Jesus.

To be able to walk day by day with the human incarnation of the creator and ruler of the universe? WOW! In a way, everyone since that time has been offered the same thing, but he would have been able to actually walk through life, be taught by and interact with the actual person of Jesus. Unlike us, who follow Jesus through His and others teaching in the Word of God, this man was offered the opportunity to be able to follow Jesus by simply walking behind Him, living in intimate fellowship with Him.

Because he can't fully submit himself to the Lord. He can't bear to lose his money, power, status, etc. for what Jesus is promising.

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion?

Because in and of itself, poverty and self-sacrifice gains us nothing. It's what we do AFTER we've done the whole poverty and self-sacrifice, as well as the reason for doing it, that makes for TRUE religion. Jesus told the rich young man to follow Him. As Pastor Ralph wrote, Jesus was inviting him to become a disciple in His travels like the others were who accompanied Jesus. I wonder how many more people Jesus called whose stories didn't make it into the canon of Scripture? We do read of others whom the Good News Bible calls the would-be followers of Jesus. The ones who wanted to bury their parents, kiss them goodbye etc. I personally reckon Jesus was pretty harsh with them but He must have had his reasons . . . most likely to teach future generations like us.

Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

Jesus regarded the young man with love, because of his devotion to the Law of Moses. He knew this man's heart was in the right place as far as doing the right thing as he'd been taught went. The fact that he sought Jesus out indicates that he knew that despite his upright life he still lacked something to complete his salvation.

The privilege of walking and living with the Author of the salvation the young man sought was indeed something that the disciples were well aware of. Even that privilege, though, wasn't enough of a lure for the young man to give up his comfortable luxurious lifestyle. The act of surrendering all to Jesus was beyond him.

Who knows however what the future held for him? I believe things happen when they're ready to happen. At that time he wasn't ready for the shock announcement that he needed to completely change his life. Who is, for that matter? Given enough time to think about it maybe he eventually joined the Christian Church. I knew a real hard-drinkin' hard-livin' band years ago. They all knew they were on a self-destructive life path. Like the fictitious comedy band Spinal Tap, they went through drummers like grain through a goose. Then one day they needed a new drummer and one of the very best in our fair city applied for the job. He was a recovering alcoholic and wouldn't and couldn't touch another drink for fear of going back to the way he was. Out of respect for him, the original band members gave up the drink also . . . he was that good a drummer that they figured it was worth it to keep him. I ran into them at the Jazz and Blues Bar one night and remarked to Billy, the bass player, how tight and rock solid they sounded that night. That's when he told me they were all on the wagon and the reason why. When they found something (or in this case someone) worth the sacrifice, it wasn't too big a sacrifice to make.

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Q.(Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion?

Poverty and self-sacrifice is inadequate as a religion to be followed, and was not what God asked of Israel, for one reason, it is not practical. If the young man gave his all to the poor, do the poor also give their all to someone poorer?

God teaches, if you want to eat, work for it, it is sad to say, many poor of today, expect a hand out instead of working and proving themselves, and we often enable them, calling it love – however, we all need to learn how to live the second commandment, to “love” others as yourself, before things, including our wealth, a hard lesson sometimes to be learned, is when and how to truly love, for there are times when “tough love” is required.

Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him?

Jesus asked him to be his follower because he was a righteous man; his desire was that of pleasing God by living what God’s commands asked of him, this pleased God’s Son.

Jesus asks of us the same thing, to love His God and Father, by keeping His commandments.

In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered?

This man who called Jesus “good master” was a making great statement, this religious, Jewish man, knew what the scriptures taught, that only God is good, his equating Jesus with being “good” pleased Jesus, thinking he may have had a higher understanding of who he was, and therefore he would understand what a privilege was being offered to Him from the anointed One of God, the Messiah.

Why did he reject the offer?

I believe he rejected the offer because he did not truly understand who Jesus was, “God’s great Pearl,” not having the Holy Spirit he did not understand, Jesus did not come the first time as the anointed One, Israel’s promised Messiah, He came as Israel’s great Peal, their “Passover Lamb,” calling for the “tough love” of God to be given, and a calling of “tough love” from those who want to follow “God’s Great Pearl.”

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Q3. (Mark 10:22)

Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion?

Our salvation is only available to us if we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and poverty or self-sacrifice cannot earn our salvation. It is a free gift given by grace.

Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him?

Jesus ask the man to follow Him to Jerusalem and the Cross. The way to eternal life was in turning from trust in self-achievements and earthly wealth and to rather put his trust in Jesus.

In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered?

Imagine joining Jesus on His journeys, even perhaps becoming a disciple! What a privilege and blessing to be with and taught by our Lord Himself!

Why did he reject the offer?

He lacked total commitment to God; he was trying to serve two masters at once

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Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? ANSWER: Poverty and self sacrifice are not in themselves spiritual. Poverty is a condition. Being poor is not a religion. God does not want us to be POOR in the SPIRITUAL realm. He wants us to be ENRICHED by his spiritual gifts. God does not want us to engage in self sacrificial practices in order to gain entry into his Kingdom, He gives us entry free, all we have do is seek Him,turn from our sins, repent and seek His Holy Word.

Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? ANSWER: He ask the man to follow him because No 1. He loves the rich young man. No.2 He knows the rich young man sincerely wants to follow Him.

In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? ANSWER: It was a great privilege because the Kingdom of God is the greatest treasure of ALL!!! Greater than anything the young man had here on Earth.

Why did he reject the offer? Answer: The young man rejected the offer because he loved his rich relatives, and his money and wealth here on Earth more then the Ultimate Treasure of The Kingdom.

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Poverty and sacrifice are in themselves inadequate religion in that one can think they "earn" salvation. It's not whether we are rich or poor, it's what we are going to do with what we have. Can we ask ourselves, "Am I content with whatever God gives as I follow Him?" Can we walk each day in whatever circumstances He places us in and can we submit to serve Him there? It's`really the heart of the matter. If you follow, serve and walk with Him, you may experience riches or poverty, greatness and fame or live in obscurity, but what will you do in each circumstance? I love Proverbs 30:7-9. In this I find a balance on riches and poverty, but more so a plea from the heart to be true to God.

Jesus asked the rich young ruler to follow Him just as He asked His other disciples. What a great honor He was given....and seemingly turned away from. It was an invitation to seek after the treasure and the pearl of great price. But not ones of worldly value as he, the rich man, was surrounded with already. He had everything to lose and not just monetary things. He had position, honor in that position and power from that position. He would have lost his friends and clout. He didn't really want to give all that away and lost out on what was a better way. He lost out on a better friend, a better position as a son of God and in basking in the protection of a better power. The power of God.

He chose the world and it's ways and being fulfilled in that instead of God's ways and the greater fulfillment there. He really chose to not walk with Jesus and went home to his stuff. That seems unbelievable....but we can choose that every day one way or another too if we are honest with ourselves. We have to purposely choose to "come follow Me" too.....every day.

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

With out the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin, all our efforts add up to nothing.

He asks because the word says He loves him.

It would be a glorious thing to learn and walk with the Savior.

Because He liked his position in life.( status,wealth,esteemed by others etc)

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

We need to rely on Jesus, He left glory to die on the cross for our sins. Anything that we do is inadequate compared to that. Jesus ask the young ruler to follow him, because He loved him. He knew what was in his heart, He knew the decision he would make, but He gave him a chance. Because we have free will, we make our choices, and so we must live with them. What a privilege that would be to physically see and hear Jesus, ask you to follow Him. For the young man it was just too great a risk to take. To give up all for an uncertain future, it was just to much for him. :rolleyes:

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

Because these are works and stages of life that are not necessary to come into a right relationship with Christ. . .Everything needed to bring humanity, as a whole, to Christ was accomplished by Him at Calvary's Cross and all we need to do to be saved is to confess and believe - 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (KJV)

Following Jesus in this life is the only way to have eternal life in Him - eternal life in Christ Jesus begins in this life. . .Following Him is to become like Him. . .

This young man rejected Jesus' offer because money and wealth had become his god. . .

B)

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

Poverty and self-sacrifice is an inadequate religion because poverty and self-sacrifice is not how people see themselves. People have the earthly view when it comes to poverty and self-sacrifice, if you are poor then you must not be blessed by god but if you have what you need and seem to be a Godly person and have a positive outlook in life, then you must be a person who follows God and he has blessed you. Poverty and self-sacrifice is also associated with being unclean so of course we assume this to be true. I do not believe that poverty and self-sacrifice are proof of an inadequate religion, but an inadequate leadership.

Jesus asks the man to follow him because he wants everyone to follow him and be saved, but when wealth, or the concerns in life get in the way, then we don't even recognize Jesus and this makes Jesus very sad. Jesus knew before he even asked him to follow him that he would choose not too, the man did not even know who Jesus was because he was so caught up in his wealth and riches that he didn't recognize Jesus and the gift of eternal life he was offering to him.

The sense in which this was a great privilege was, that Jesus himself was the one asking him to follow him, now, today we have to trust others, who ask us to follow Jesus that they are leading us in the right direction. To have Jesus himself standing next to us, in the flesh, asking us to follow him would be an honor so unbelievable, that we would have to have a strong faith to even believe that it was truly Jesus and not some Nut.

He rejected the offer, because he was more concerned about his wealth, than he was about following Jesus, I also think that he did not totally comprehend what Jesus was offering him, or that Jesus was the Son of God. I believe that that is why it is so hard to have wealth and follow Jesus too, as wealth, if not kept in proper perspective, can blind you to Jesus and the awesome gift he offers that cannot be bought with money, only with true faith and love for Jesus.

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

Answer:

1.Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion?

Poverty is a curse,a sign that signify ones rebellion or not in obedience to Gods Word.It is an opposite of Prosperity:

Proverbs 13:18 -Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Poverty is also a result if you are too lazy to work,and just love good life,drinking and eating:

Proverbs 20:13-Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

Proverbs 23:21 -For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

No one will come to your religion if you preach:COME ALL OF YOU BROTHERS AND SISTERS,AND SURELY POVERTY WILL FOLLOW AND BE WITH YOU TILL ETERNITY

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

It is not by works of righteousness that we enter heaven but by faith in the Son of God and His work for us on the cross.

Jesus loved the young ruler and wanted his heart and devotion.

To spend time with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? What ruler invites or desires audience with us or with me anyway? The King of Kings and Lord of Lords does. What an honor! How can my sinful heart even entertain any worldly possession over that. And yet as I sew or do anything like that I wonder if this is what God would have me doing? Am I making best use of my time here for Him? Am I loving what I am doing more than Him?

Did the young ruler know that Jesus was on the path to the cross? Did he understand what Jesus was saying. Do we?

Lord help us to follow you where ever you lead! You promise to be with us and that is enough!

God Bless!

Jen

Numbers 6:24-26

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

I think it is fair to say that to be a Christian does not mean one has to be poor. In the parable of the Young ruler, it was really not his wealth, but his love of this wealth, that kept him from being Jesus' disciple. His focus was not on Jesus and this easily led to his disobedience. We can choose to live a life of self-sacrifice, but without Jesus in our lives, this will become meaningless after a while. I think Jesus was asking the young ruler to follow him i.e. to be Jesus' disciple, to learn from Jesus, to be with Jesus and to focus on Jesus and not on his worldly possessions. It is indeed a great privilege to be able travel with and learn from Jesus. The young ruler rejected the offer because there was something else that he held dearer, something that he could not let go off.

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

Both of these are relying on something else other then Jesus blood and righteousness. There is only one religion and that is Jesus and His shed blood for the sins of the world. Jesus knew the heart of this rich young ruler and He wanted to him to make a choice riches or Jesus. Just as Christ gives everyone a choice to receive Him or reject Him. It is a privilege to serve the Lord and be part of His Kingdom and the promise of eternal life. The ruler rejected the offer because he had great riches and was not willing to give up his riches. Riches blind the eyes of people and keep us was doing the work of the Lord. God will have no other god before Him.

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Q3 Poverty and self-sacrifice is an inadequate religion because as followers of

Christ,one has to unload oneself completely bare and give our total all to God.

One must have a sincere heart to want to surrender to God.

Since the rich young ruler has personally asked for eternal from Jesus and since

Jesus' heart goes all out to him, Jesus wanted him to experience the life style

of the Kingdom here on earth like His apostles.

To gain eternal life and experience the life as a disciple which ultimately leads

to the Kingdom and eternal life.

He was foolish to reject because he cannot let go of his enormous wealth which is

a bondage to him.

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Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer?

Poverty and self-sacrifice can be done with wrong intensions; many times we can give out of duty, trying to fullill our 'obligation' to do what is required of us. This is a religious attitude. Jesus calls us to a higher level where we give with a heart for those less fortunate than ourselves. We must give out of compassion; not obligation. God wants our hearts to be right; anything less is in vain. Jesus asked the man to follow Him out of love and compassion. He is the better portion. He knows His influence can reveal sin in his/our lives so we can come up higher. The man could not see he was given the opportunity to change his heart and become a more Godly person. He did not want to give up his religious spirit and closed his eyes to the world to come. He was too happy with his worldly life to want more.

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