Sermon for Time after Pentecost – Mark 10:17-31

Is it just me, or has Jesus been pretty harsh lately? Last week he condemned divorce as adultery. Before that he told us that if our hand or eye causes us to sin, chop it out, like some gory movie. I’d like to hear THAT children’s sermon! Did Pastor Kirk do one? Glad I didn’t have to! Today it sounds like Jesus is still putting the thumbscrews on everyone. Sell everything and give the money to the poor. Everyone’s favorite verse. Oh wait – isn’t Stewardship Sunday coming up? How appropriate! Or maybe not. Isn’t stewardship about wisely managing our resources for the benefit of others? Hard to do if you give everything away. What’s Jesus trying to accomplish here?