Wealth Isolates

Wealth isolates.  I heard that phrase a few years ago.  A friend pointed out that wealthy folks have a hard time living in community.  She used examples of technology and business practices to illustrate her point.  The idea stuck with me.  Wealth isolates.


Many refer to the United States as one of the wealthiest countries in the world.  It is easy to see how our wealth and access to technology isolates people.  We keep personal contact with others to a minimum using ATMs, facebook, smart phones, vending machines, automated customer service and on, and on.


Jesus didn’t like the tendency to isolate.  The Gospel of Mark describes a rich young man asking Jesus what he needs to do in order to be saved.  Jesus tells the young man to sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow Him.  The rich man rejects Jesus’ instruction, keeps the money, and walks away - isolated.


In that passage, Jesus invites the rich man into the Kingdom of God.  An important part of the Kingdom of God is a community of people who have Jesus’ rule in common.  Among other things, the rich man doesn’t like the implications of living in a community of Jesus followers.  He opts out and returns to a life he can rule all by himself.


You may have some money in your bank account.  You may have very little.  Either way, Jesus’ message is the same: enter His kingdom.  Jesus calls us all to a life of following Him in relationship with others.


As you go through the coming week, see how the wealth (big or small) God has given you can be used to develop relationships with others.  Invite friends over for dinner instead of ordering take out and watching cable.  Ask some friends to help with a project instead of hiring others to do it.  The blessings God has given you can be invested in your relationships, rather than helping you escape them.