Over 100 years ago World War I broke out between the Central Powers and the Allied Powers. For the first three years of the war, the United States remained neutral in the conflict under President Woodrow Wilson. His supporters waved banners at his party’s national convention in 1916 that said, “He kept us out of war.” But in 1917 President Wilson requested Congress to declare war against Germany. He said that “Neutrality is no longer feasible or desirable where the peace of the world is involved.”
Over 2,000 years ago, the greatest teacher of all times, Jesus, the Son of God, declared in Matthew 6:24 that “no man can serve two masters: for he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” When Jesus used the word “mammon” He was talking about wealth or riches, which some people seem to worship. He made it very clear that people cannot be neutral when it comes to God. We must either choose to serve God or not serve God, and there is no other choice.
In Mark 10, as Jesus was walking along the road one day, a man came running up to Him, knelt down before, and said to Him, “Good Master, what shall I do that may I may inherit eternal life?” He may have been wealthy from inheriting his father’s estate, and thought he could inherit eternal life. There are still plenty of people today who seem to have the idea that they can inherit the Christian faith of their parents.
Jesus pointed out that the only one who was good was God, and then reminded him of the commandments. The young man told Jesus he had kept the commandments from the time he was young. The Bible says that Jesus looked at him and loved him, and then told him, “You lack one thing. Go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and then come, take up the cross, and follow me.” The young man was saddened at the response of Jesus, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions. He was obviously not willing to do what Jesus asked him to do, and neither would a lot of people today.
After the man left, Jesus said to His disciples, “It is hard for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God.” The disciples were amazed at what Jesus said, so He then told them, “It is hard for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God.” He went on to tell them that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Serving God may be a hard choice, but it is the right choice, and there is no room for neutrality.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
