by Pastor Peter Bean

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God can do all things (Mark 10:27b).

Read Mark 10:17–31

God is exceedingly generous: he sends rain to the just and the unjust and cares for people how a mother hen cares for her chicks. God looks after nature, despite our (humans’) best attempt to destroy it. He forgives the most heinous sins if we repent. He dishes out grace like it is everyone’s birthday every day.

God is exceedingly generous, and he can do all things. Unlike humans! Despite our efforts, we can never match the generosity and creativity of the Creator God. It doesn’t matter how wealthy we are, how powerful or how many commandments we keep. God’s love is not dependent on those things. No, God loves because God is love.

Neither the rich young man (verse 22) nor Peter (verse 28) get this. I am not sure we do either. Do we not try to live better, be generous and serve others? All good things. But to what end? Particularly if they are simply to win God’s favour, to impress those we live with? Perhaps our motives are more altruistic.

But we constantly want to obey the commandments and demand that others do, too. The rich young man had done this perfectly – at least according to him.

You see, it’s not about us; it’s not about what we do; it’s not about how we live; it’s not about whether we are rich or poor (although if you’re rich, you do well to read these verses closely!). What saves is God’s generosity – not our wealth, power or even obedience.

Grace alone, accepting it, trusting in God’s promise of life and life abundantly (John 10:10). Who do you trust? What do you trust? Our lifestyle might reveal a surprising answer. It is better to return to the one who says this is something people cannot do, but God can. God can do all things (verse 27).

Thank you, generous God, for your creativity, for your generosity and for looking beyond our human weaknesses. Thank you for your gift of grace, life and love. May we live in response to these. Amen.

In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!