SCRIPTURE:
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 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.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:20-26
OBSERVATION:
Is Jesus telling us that rich people won’t go to heaven? Do those who are less fortunate get a free pass into heaven? Is Jesus telling us that money is bad? While a quick reading of this passage might seem to suggest that the answer to these questions might be “yes,” the answer is no. This is not the case.
But that still leaves the question of, “what does Jesus mean when He says ‘it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven…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 answer is this––it is harder for those with more money to enter the kingdom of God because money provides a false sense of security, control, and self-sufficiency. As Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:10, “the love of money is the root of all evil.” Money itself is not inherently bad. However, the love of money is bad.
As Jesus talks to this young man, His focus is not wealth; it is prioritization. Jesus brings to our attention the issue putting anything before God. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus reminds us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God.” While money is not bad itself, riches and wealth pose a potential problem because they tend to give us a false sense of satisfaction and lack of dependence upon God as the ultimate provider. On top of that, sometimes, money also has the potential not only to distract us from seeking God, but more starkly, to be sought after at the expense of God.
Yet, regardless of our distraction, shortcoming, and failure to put God first, by the grace of God, it is possible for all to enter into the kingdom if they put their trust in God. God’s grace is sufficient, and God’s love is unconditional. God’s grace is enough, and it is available to all people––rich, poor, and everyone in between. For it is not how much money you have that gets you into heaven; it is your belief in a God who came, died, and rose again so that He could live with you in perfect relationship for eternity.
APPLICATION:
Money isn’t bad…but loving it is. In your life, who or what has first place? Is it money? A relationship? A hobby? Or is it God?
Today, choose to put God first. Love Him above all things. Money may provide a false sense of security, but true security, true fulfillment, and true freedom is only found in Him. Yes, money is a blessing, but He is the source of all blessings. In fact, He is the one from Whom all blessings flow. Value His love, receive His grace, and choose to put Him first.
PRAYER:
Lord,
You are my all in all. I repent for the times I have placed other things above you, and I ask for Your forgiveness. Today, I place You in the highest place, and I choose to put You first. You are my everything.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
