New Testament Study Lesson 17

My Dad sent out a challenge to all of his kids to follow the Gospel Doctrine reading schedule. This is something we should be doing anyway if we want to get the most out of our Sunday School lessons, but it’s so easy to let it slide. I actually did it Dad! Ok, I read today’s scriptures after the class was over, but I still did it.

Included in the lesson was the story of the widow’s mite; One of my favorites from the Bible that reminds us true worship is not about giving what is easy, but about giving all you have. There was one other thing I wanted to mention that caught my attention. Mark 10:31 reads: “But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.” The context of the lesson is to discuss what is required to gain eternal life. Taken as it is, this scripture seems to imply that those who are wealthy or that seem to have it all will not get eternal life. I read the JST which seems to add quite a bit. It adds: “There are many who make themselves first, that shall be last.” This seems to imply that it is not really about those who are wealthy, but about those that put the attainment of wealth or that choose to put their own interests before their God. It seems to be a caution of pride and covetousness, and these are traits we can find amongst people in all societies regardless of their class status. Anyone else have any thoughts on this lesson?