Blind Bartimaeus

Keith did 3 things with us on Sunday - (1) answered some unanswered questions, (2) drew the series to a close and (3) led us into Easter Week. Here are some of his notes

(1) What should I give to? When do I know when to stop giving?

Try and discern whether you initial response to a request for resources is a prompt of the Spirit or a pull on the heart strings. It may be helpful to ask the following questions:-

Is it helpful to give? —Does it enable & empower or create & sustain dependence
– Does it give or take dignity?
What form should my giving take? – should it be cash or in kind?
Am I clear as to where my giving goes?
What % of my gift gets to the need?

Is the need :- crisis / short term – chronic / long term
covenant for a season and then review

It may be helpful to covenant for a season and then review your giving so as not to get locked into a relationship that you then find difficult to change. When the appropriate time to end the support of a cause or individual arrives – give notice – express appreciation – be generous in final gift.

(2) How do I know if my motive is pure?

Ask yourself, am I:-

—giving to get
—giving to gain favour
—giving to grow in generosity?—2 Corinthians 9:11

Motive is important but when ever pure?! Err on the side of generosity – not a bad mistake to make! Be a risk taker!—Matt 25:14-30 – put your faith and resources to work!

(3) What about the tithe?

A good place to start – a bad place to end
a principle as to proportion – but not the only form of giving

The tithe one of many gifts in old testament. Other gifts included:- first fruits / thank offerings / free will offerings – calculated to total well over 20% of income! Only proportion N.T. mentions – in proportion to your income—
What about first fruit – first pay check in new job?
Thank offerings – tithe of profit from house sale, bonus or inheritance?

Macedonians – first gave themselves as to the Lord and then to the ministry of giving.

Ask the right questions
Don’t ask what should I give how much should I give / to what should I give
—Give all we have, all we are in total – in recognition that we are no longer our own bought with a price

– Jesus – Lord of our labour
—Lord of our leisure
—Lord of what we release /and Lord of what we retain

“For from Him and through Him and to him are all things, To him be glory for ever and ever!”—Rom 11:36. 1 Corinthians 13 – the most excellent way in terms of Spiritual gifts. A most excellent way in terms of work, and finances

Two characters that we come across in Mark chapter 10:17-25; 46-52

Rich young Ruler  “What must I do to inherit eternal life?  He seems to have been driven by legalism, self righteousness, and the attempt to gain salvation by works. Jesus looked at him and loved him – “sell all you have and give to the poor.” Face fell—went away sad – because he was very rich – Jesus in love confronts his idol.

Blind Bartimaeus receives his sight. For Bartimaeus a usual day – sat in the dust – totally dependant on the mercy of others who traveled the road in and out of Jericho. On this occasion he sensed something different—far more footfall than even on a busy day in Jericho – a large crowd moving into the city and then on mass moving back out of the city. He begins by asking members of the crowd what’s happening – they reply—“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” Now the story moves from Bartimaeus’ lack of physical sight to his remarkable spiritual insight! Bartimaeus on discovering the nearness of Jesus begins to shout:- “ Son of David, have mercy on me!”—1st use in Mark’s gospel

A remarkable Contrast

Rich young ruler                   Bartimaeus
Rich became impoverished spiritually   Poor became rich
Knew of no need                         Admitted his need
Held on to everything                   Let everything go
His face fell, Went away sad               Jumped up to followed Jesus, praising God
                                              At head of the 1st Palm Sunday crowd?
Sought to earn favour – law               Called for mercy—grace
                          Both loved by Jesus

“a completely new work ..... would never have been possible if we had not been uprooted completely in every way and if in that uprooting we had not decided to pray for God’s solution and leading in every step of the path as it wound through unknown territory.”—Edith Schafer L’Abri fellowship

The Rich young ruler decided to remain rooted to his spot, Bartimaeus leaves everything and gives all to following Jesus.

As you approach this Easter take time to prayerfully evaluate your:-

Work
Leisure
Giving

Allow Jesus to expose any idol, and bring freedom and fullness of His Spirit. Are you ready and willing to be uprooted – for God to to do a completely new work and lead you in every step of the path as it winds through unknown territory?

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”—Mark Twain.

It has been said that faith is spelt RISK – where and how will you trade your talents to produce an increase for God’s Kingdom and glory?

Questions/Reflections

(1) Do you have any remaining questions from the series?
(2) How does Mark contrast the 2 characters?
(3) What do we learn about how to respond (and not respond) to Jesus as we commence Holy Week?
(4) In what ways do feel provoked to be uprooted and take risks?