IS IT TRUE THAT THE RICH CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD ?
A statement by Jesus can lead some believers to fear money or any level of wealth. What should a wise, balanced believer make of this verse?
Luke 18:23-25, "And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful, for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, He said, 'How hardly those having riches shall enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich one to enter into the kingdom of God.'" (NKJV)
You can see how a person with little to lose by going against the establishment would follow Christ much more easily. But one who is wealthy and has a lot to lose might be prevented from conversion. Regardless, should a believer fear money accumulation? Should we give away everything we have? Some cults have taken such extreme positions. Let us look at the deep truth about wealth.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18, "and so that you might not say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.' 18 But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, so that He may confirm His covenant which He has sworn to your fathers, as it is today." (MKJV)
If some have the skills to honestly gain wealth, it is God who gave them that talent. He wants all of us to use WHATEVER GIFTS HE HAS GIVEN US for His glory. Never forget that God gets the glory. It is hard for a rich person who believes that his wealth is all based on his skills to accept - forgetting that they were positioned for capital gain by the blessings of God.
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD MUST BE OUR FIRST PRIORITY
All who are rich and poor must place God's goals first in their lives.
Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up treasures on earth for yourselves, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. 20 But lay up treasures in Heaven for yourselves, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Our heart should not be focused on material things - but does this mean not using money wisely? Does this mean we cannot have retirement accounts or IRAs, etc.? The key is all about our hearts. What does your heart feel about gathering treasures?
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness required by him;"
If our priorities are correct, then it is appropriate to save for retirement and for some inheritance, possibly for your kids and or grandkids. We must guard the financial base that allows us to give to others and the work of God. I know a lot of people save hardly anything for a rainy day but for those who can, it is the responsible thing to do. Note:
Proverbs 13:22, "A good man leaves an inheritance to his sons' sons, and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. "
2 Corinthians 12:14, "Behold, a third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not burden you, for I do not seek your things, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children."
BELIEVERS CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS : THE LOVE OF MONEY CURSE
Anyone can get into the spirit of greed and being obsessed with gaining riches. Even the very poor as well as those better off. Jesus warns us:
Matthew 6:23-24, "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
Remember, we have to view scripture with maturity and depth. We can be a good manager of money without serving money itself. One must learn to not trust in money, but in God. Those of us who live in prosperous Western nations have to be on guard against rampant materialism and loving and relying solely on money.
Mark 4:19, "and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful."
While one is saving for retirement and for helping their kids future, remember to also use your money to serve God and His ministries and those in need. You must do both - never stop giving in order to save up wealth for the future. One may begin to hoard without realizing it.
Matthew 6:31-34, "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek... 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things..." (NKJV)
A mature part of financial integrity is a strong work ethic: working hard so they can have something to share with the needy and the Church of God.
Ephesians 4:28, "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need."
Jesus was no doubt a hard-working carpenter.
WE MUST LEARN TO BE CONTENT
The issue of financial security into the future is worth discussing. Does God have anything to say about how one should think about the future?
1 Timothy 6:6-9, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition."
The desire to have a lot more than you need can be a trap or a snare which should be avoided. People in richer nations probably need to really fear this trap.
1 Timothy 6:10-11, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness."
1 Timothy 6:17-19, "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
Note that Paul is not telling Timothy to tell the richer members to give away all their money or telling them that being wealthy is a sin, or that being WEALTHY IS WRONG. Saving for the future is not wrong as long as we continue to serve and give to worthy causes and to God's ministries.
Hebrews 13:5, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Our trust should never be in the tricky world of finance and materialism, but in God. He will take care of us and give us what we need as we seek Him and His righteousness first. Never rely on money instead of our loving God for security. Remember, materialism is undermining the West spiritually. However, being a good steward of money is an act of wisdom.
If one is blessed with the talent of gaining money, God should be thanked for such talent and not ourselves. When one is blessed with a good retirement, God should get the credit and our resources and talents should be used for the glory of God.
