Mark 10:17-27 (NASB)17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But at these words [a]he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
23 And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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.” 26 They were even more astonished and said to Him, “[b]Then who can be saved?” 27 Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
23 And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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.” 26 They were even more astonished and said to Him, “[b]Then who can be saved?” 27 Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
Have you ever had the opportunity and honor of truly wanting to help a person? You think about their problem and you pray to God for a solution and when you share with them all they say to you is, "Yes, but..."? I call this the "Yes, but" Principle. People ask you a question and you give them an answer and they, "Yes, but", you. Has that ever happened to you? At this point the conversation is usually over for me. I realize that they really don't want the answer I have for them, they just want what they want. They want attention and they want to tell you what they want (BUT) they don't want to do what it takes to get the true thing they need. It reminds of the story in the Bible about the Rich Young Ruler found in the scripture above.
I would much prefer them to tell me, "I really don't care what you have to say and I don't want your advice I really just want what I want." Then I know that I can relax, let them talk and then go help someone who really wants my help. If you spend enough time with God He helps you navigate conversations with the wisdom of God. I have learned who wants help and who just wants my attention. I can love both populations and I do but I guard my time that I invest and make my decisions accordingly.
I find it interesting as well that many people don't want your attention at all until everyone else wants it. Then because the attention is not on them they feel as though they are somehow losing attention. Watching the dynamics of people and listening to their conversations will help you to navigate what's important and what are your time stealers. I like the quote below, if people keep telling me about their problem and years are going by--they really don't want my help they just want my attention. So maybe there is a bigger hole to fill first. So I ask God to help me fill that hole and then we can come back to solving the issue.
I would much prefer them to tell me, "I really don't care what you have to say and I don't want your advice I really just want what I want." Then I know that I can relax, let them talk and then go help someone who really wants my help. If you spend enough time with God He helps you navigate conversations with the wisdom of God. I have learned who wants help and who just wants my attention. I can love both populations and I do but I guard my time that I invest and make my decisions accordingly.
I find it interesting as well that many people don't want your attention at all until everyone else wants it. Then because the attention is not on them they feel as though they are somehow losing attention. Watching the dynamics of people and listening to their conversations will help you to navigate what's important and what are your time stealers. I like the quote below, if people keep telling me about their problem and years are going by--they really don't want my help they just want my attention. So maybe there is a bigger hole to fill first. So I ask God to help me fill that hole and then we can come back to solving the issue.
Hebrews 4:16 "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
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