HARD, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE, FOR THE RICH TO BE SAVED

HARD, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE, FOR THE RICH TO BE SAVED

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. —Matthew 19:24

       I’ve read that in some eastern countries the proverb reads that “it is easier for an elephant to go through the eye of a needle.”  The main point of this proverb is that it is hard for a rich person to be saved.  Why?  Because they trust is in their riches and they will not trust the Lord.  “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.”’  It is not impossible that a rich man can be saved.  There are those who are wealthy that follow our Lord.

       The rich man in the context of the verse above “went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Matthew 19:22).  Jesus had asked him to “sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21).  Why was he sad?  He did not want to part with his wealth to gain eternal life.  He had rather keep the temporal wealth of this world than to follow Jesus and have eternal life.  That is sad!

       What are you and I trusting?  Do we truly trust Jesus or do we trust in what wealth we have for security?  “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (I Timothy 6:17).  Yes, let us trust in God.  He provides what we have “for our enjoyment.”  So let us do so because “godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (I Timothy 6:6-10).  Yes, let us be content with and enjoy what God gives us.

Dear Father help me to enjoy what You have given me.  Yes, may I be content and trust in You and not in wealth.  May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.  So be it!