Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:23-26 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:23-27 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:24-27 If these verses don't alarm you, they should. Chances are, if you’re reading this it is because you have access to internet and a computer or phone. In order to have access to these things, you probably live off of more than $2 per day. That makes you wealthier than more than half the world. So, you’re rich. People, especially in America, like to think they’re not rich. They like to think that because they have student loans to pay back, a mortgage on their house, and no car—they’re not rich. Yet they have food, shelter, and clothing in abundance. If you have everything you need, anything above that is riches. This terrifies me, because I am rich. I have a computer and a phone and many other things I don’t need. Riches aren’t a bad thing. In fact, read the book of Proverbs and you’ll learn that if you’re doing things right and working hard, you will probably become rich. God doesn’t want everyone to be poor. What terrifies me is that by being rich, we are at an extreme spiritual disadvantage. We are tempted to think that we have earned our riches by our own ability, that our stuff belongs to us, and that we are the sole reason for our riches. It becomes difficult to submit to God and to give anything and everything you have away when you can't realize that you are not your own and your stuff is not your own. Additionally, to whom much is given, much is expected. Don’t be like the farmer who stores up so much for himself that he doesn’t have to work for the rest of his life (Luke 12:16-21). When we are blessed with riches, God’s intention is not for us to hoard this all up for ourselves. He really does want us to give it away. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48 So we need to be careful. It is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than it is for us to enter the kingdom of God. Lucky for us, all things are possible with God, but this isn’t a guarantee of salvation. Countless times in the Bible Jesus tells people how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God. Why else would we need to make every effort to do so (Luke 13:24)? And to think that it is even more difficult for those of us who do not lack in what we need is terrifying. But we can take heart in knowing that we have a God who fulfills His promises. Give more than you think you can afford and be generous with the time and stuff you have been given, for you are not your own and neither is what you have been given. “I am concerned for the poor but more for you. I know not what Christ will say to you in the great day…I fear there are many hearing me who may know well that they are not Christians because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally, not grudgingly at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-blood than its money. Oh my friends! Enjoy your money; make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity.” - Robert Murray M'Cheyne
0 Comments
|
AuthorFighting complacency and advocating change in myself for the world around me. Posts by Date
February 2019
Posts by Name
All
|