And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! (Luke 18:24; Mark 10:23; Matthew 19:23)
In the previous lesson, we studied that ...a certain ruler came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (see THE GOSPEL: Put God Above Everything Else - 1) After Jesus analized his spiritual condition, He revealed the fact that the rich ruler obeyed most of the commandments, mainly the ones dealing with our relationship with eachother; but he had a problem with the most important commandment, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [Deuteronomy 6:5] This is the first and great commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38; see THE GOSPEL: God and His Kingdom First)
Jesus revealed to the man his problem by saying, Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:21-22; *Matthew 19:21-22; Luke 18:22) But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. (Luke 18:23; see ) Not that God wants us to get rid of all He's blessed us with, but we have to realize Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with ALL that is in it. (Genesis 10:14) That's why Jesus said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"
And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:24-26; Matthew 19:24-25; Luke 18:25-26) The problem isn't just having riches, but trusting in riches! Job expressed the problem of trusting in wealth by saying, “If I have made gold my hope [and trust], Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much; ... This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above. (Job 31:24-25, 28; see Trust!)
And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:26-27; Matthew 19:25-26; Luke 18:26-27) He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage. (Proverbs 11:28) The Apostle Paul explains how with God all things are possible: Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13; see PHILIPPIANS: Christ is All We Need) Only by the power of God, through faith in Christ Jesus, can we enter the kingdom of God!
Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:28-31; Matthew 19:27-30; Luke 18:28-30)
Yet again, we have to go to Job to understand what Jesus is saying. Job didn't leave all he had for God, but he did lose all he had; but In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:13-22) Then after all was said and done, Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; ... After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days. (Job 42:12-17) Job receive a hundredfold now in this time, because he did not put his hope and trust in his wealth, which was great, but in God! As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (I Timothy 6:17)
Why put God before and above all of the things of this world? Because one day, all of this will come to and end, and then the age to come, eternal life. For the one's of us who choose the things of this world over obeying God and putting our faith in Christ Jesus, Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the Lord. In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full and sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth. (Zephaniah 1:18; see THE GOSPEL: The Rich Man and Lazarus; Life After Death) But, if we ...seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) AMEN
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