SERVING A WHO OR A WHAT
SERVING A WHO OR A WHAT
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 gain, “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
Why is it hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God? Like the wealthy man who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, but went away sad when Jesus asked him to give all his wealth to the poor— those rich whose riches are more important than eternal life cannot enter the kingdom of God. Their kingdom revolves around their wealth. Their wealth is their god. Their view is such a temporary and short-sighted look at life here and forever.
You may say, “Well, I am not rich and so I do not have a problem with that.” In the west, but not just in the west, wealth is an area of dependency to many. We have to look at our own lives and if Jesus asked us specifically to give up something in our lives to follow Him, would we do it? Will we do it?
Does Jesus have first place in our lives? Are we relying fully on Him? Are we truly serving Him? Or… are we resting and trusting in the comfort of material possessions or finances? “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13). This is what the rich man was wresting with. Who would he serve? Would he follow and serve Jesus and have eternal life or would follow and serve his finances. Unfortunately, his god was his wealth.
We are to love God with all our being and love people as well (Matthew 22:37-40).
“But 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 6:5-10
Can we be content with the basics of life? Do we have a proper perspective on this live and the life to come? Are we living for the temporary of the eternal? May you and I have a proper perspective on wealth and be faithful stewards with the responsibility our Lord has given us in this area. Let us use whatever resources He has given us according to His purposes. Is Jesus and Jesus alone enough for us? Yes, Dear Father may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. That is my desire! May I bring honor and glory to You! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSAN5ObaRQg