When basketball coach Rick Pitino was coaching the Boston Celtics, he was accused by his players of being an autocratic leader who believed “My way or the highway.” According to Sports Illustrated, he would continuously scream basic instructions to his players like, “Paul! Get down in your stance, Paul!” or “Rebound it! Rebound it! Rebound it!” It was reported that he yelled these pedestrian commands every minute of every game, demonstrating his controlling attitude. His lack of success with the Celtics was blamed on him being a compulsive micromanager and not knowing when to back off and let his players play.

Mark 10 – The Right Priority

“My way or the highway” is often thought of as an “old-school” approach to coaching. What might be avoided today in sports was essential to the Lord’s message to the rich young man who wanted to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17-31). Jesus has the right, as our Creator, to be authoritarian. He had the same message in Luke 16:13, “You cannot serve God and wealth.” That’s His way or the highway!

It is hard to accept a gift when you become preoccupied with money and the things it can buy. The rich young ruler wanted to get salvation on his terms, and he was disappointed. Material wealth isn’t evil, but it can be dangerous to our spiritual health. It can become too easy to sacrifice the kingdom of God for the pursuit of wealth. The priority must be God’s kingdom rather than man’s riches. Jesus urged the rich young ruler to leave one master to serve another, to trade the treasure of the corrupt world system for the true wealth of God’s eternal kingdom.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete refuse to let money become their master and ruin their lives. Instead, they are grateful for it and use it for God’s glory.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “And sitting down, He [Jesus] called the twelve and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.'” Mark 9:35 LSB

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