This Message Is for All of Us
“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:21-25
Know the Bible story about the rich man who asked Jesus how to have eternal life? He gave Jesus his check-list of how he obeyed the law since childhood, but Jesus said there’s something else he must do to have everlasting life. SELL his riches, GIVE to those in need, CARRY his cross, and FOLLOW Jesus. Eternal life is for those who give up their own ways, wishes, and wants and living for themselves according to the world’s wicked ways, and trust in Christ as Lord and live for God according to His holy, biblical ways. The man walked away from Jesus and eternal life desolate because he wouldn’t give up his riches. For years, I thought the story was about riches and was for wealthy, materialistic people. Then God’s Spirit showed me the word I missed that is the key to eternal life. The message is for ALL OF US whether penniless, zillionaires, or in between. The message isn’t about money; it’s about this!
TRUSTED. The man had placed his TRUST in his riches instead of in the Lord. He looked to his riches instead of to God. His heart and focus were on his riches instead of on the Lord. He lived for his riches instead of for God. His treasure was his riches, not God. God’s Word says our heart is where our treasure is, and that our treasure – and heart – should be with God who is in heaven (Mt. 6:19-21). This man looked to his riches for his provision, fulfillment, contentment. His relationship was with his riches instead of with God. Sure, he obeyed the law. But that’s all it was to him. Law to obey. His eyes were on the world rather than heaven. He didn’t have a casual relationship with his riches. He was bound to them. He looked to them as his god. When faced with the choice between his riches and Christ and heaven, he immediately gave up Christ and heaven for his riches. In his riches he placed his trust for his life and eternity. God and heaven are for those who trust in and live for Christ. Fiery hell is for those who trust in and live for themselves and this world.
Where is your trust? We can fool ourselves and others. We can’t fool the Lord.