The Rich And The Kingdom Of God

Matthew 19:16-30

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

“Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

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.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 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.”

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.”

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Trust The Farmer’s Fence

Some years ago in a lion-infested country, farmers would keep their cattle locked up in a kraal with a wooden fence enclosing them and it was strong enough that no lion could break in. But when the clever lion would roar at midnight the cattle did not know enough to trust the farmer’s fence. Terrified, they’d stampede until they themselves broke down their only protection.

All the lion had to do to get those cattle was simply roaring and sit back and wait for food. Please trust God’s love and protection. Don’t let fear caused by the roaring of the devil break down that fence of protection!

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31