The Impossible Becomes Possible
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Is There Anything Wrong With Being Rich?
Is There Anything Wrong With Being Rich?
The story of the rich young ruler and Jesus has preempted some to believe that being rich is sinful. There is never a sin in attainment, possessions or wealth. The sin is when we begin to operate without faith or operate from a place of being “self-made”. One of the shows me and my wife watch together is Shark Tank, if you haven’t seen this show typically people are coming on this show to pitch a business that has been successful beyond their scope of operation or they need help getting to the next level. So they pitch the idea to some very successful business minds in hopes that they will invest in their business. One question that always comes up is a valuation of the business based on cash flow, amount of time the business has been in operation minus the investment. Spiritually, God has made an investment in our spirit but how long will you operate without his power?
Beginning in verse 24 Jesus’ attention shifts to his disciples. His disciples witnessing this exchange were asked a questions, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!” The initial reaction is one of shock and disappointment, feeling as if it is impossible to get into heaven. What must be understood is it is impossible to do anything without God.
Jesus asks a Question
Jesus asks a Question
Verse 23 “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”
One may infer that this question is rhetorical in nature considering in Matthew, his account states “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven”.
Nonetheless, Jesus is not missing an opportunity to teach a lesson.
Prior to this statement the rich man goes away grieving because he owned much property. Imagine this, if he sells his property to the poor he’s providing a service and doing what God has asked us to do.
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 15
“If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother;
8 but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.
Understand he states that he has kept the law since he was young, but this is a part of the law nonetheless he doesn’t want to abide by this credence. It’s important that if we have an opportunity to give to those that are in need we do so.
Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure-pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.
It was not that wealth and discipleship can’t coexist it’s that wealth can be a potential danger to faith if we do not prioritize our life properly.
Let’s clear the air really quick! Jesus did not have a problem with rich folks. Matter of fact it was his connections with some very powerful people that helped him during his crucifixion and death.
Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
Jesus Does Not Have An Issue With Riches, He has a Problem With Pride
Jesus Does Not Have An Issue With Riches, He has a Problem With Pride
Remember he was rich. But when we think about riches, think about Jesus he left an eternal paradise, made himself like us. If he could leave heaven, we should be motivated to let some stuff go if it means eternal life with Jesus Christ.
We set goals but the things we can achieve with God far surpass what we can achieve on our own and with other flawed people like us. Verse 25 makes it seem like it’s impossible to be rich and holy.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
This is nothing more than pride, he couldn’t give up what he felt he had earned and worked hard for! Pride will cause us to miss heaven, when we begin to prioritize our belongings over who we should belong to! Now salvation becomes impossible because we allowed temporary things to get in the way of an eternal blessing.
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
The issue is when we find more security in possessions than the one who provided those possessions for us. Regardless of how much satisfaction your possessions bring you it can never compare to the wealth of God.
Pride really seeps in when it’s something new, the bible says they were amazed and then the amazement turned to astonishment. This is new, almost like they had never heard it. So much so, Jesus repeats himself twice. How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!
Here’s the caveat, Jesus even says beginning at verse 29 that everyone has had to give up something but even as much as they had to give up I can provide you with much more than. Persecution is inevitable but the blessings that God provides us with is far greater than persecution.
Nothing is Impossible With God
Nothing is Impossible With God
The astonishment seemingly evokes fear, “then who can be saved”
No matter what you sell, give to goodwill, put on offer up or Craig’s List, or keep ever commandment it’s still impossible without God.
But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
We live a life avoiding the impossible, it’s people in this room right now with dreams, goals, ambitions, and talents and we are sitting on them because of fear. You might have to make some sacrifices, you might have to face some challenges but if God put it on your heart it’s worth taking a look at. Listen we have to stop operating from a place of fear and pride. Scared to walk away from temporary things because we of the uncertainty of the future. But if God is on my side I am going to be okay.
Understand that operating without faith is sin, the rich man allowed possessions to get in the way of his faith.
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
Nothing is impossible with God, we just have to plug in to our faith.
The mountains in your life can move if you plug in to your faith.
Sickness will not defeat you, gossip will not discourage you, plug in to your faith
I might have to let a few things go, I might have to give a few things away but if means me being closer to God then I’m going to do it.
I’ll walk away from it all if it means being closer to God, I can’t count on man to provide for me, But I know God will provide for me.