Our paragraph topic is: (The danger of riches) Part 4.
The disciples heard the words of Christ and they were astonished. They were in disbelief. They could not understand what they had heard. Their minds immediately thought of fear and anxiety. And their hearts were filled with loss. For they assumed that all would have access to the kingdom of heaven especially those who had wealth and riches. But Christ wanted them to know the rules. He wanted them to understand that the spiritual kingdom was not the same as the physical world.
In the physical world those who have riches, those who have power, those who have influence are the privileged. They are the ones who can use their power to get what they want. But in the spiritual world there are rules, there are criteria by which one is judged before entering. And the criteria specify that one lives by certain requirements here on earth. The disciples did not understand the truth of the words that were spoken. They did not hear with their hearts the meaning of the message. And as a result they came to the conclusion and said, "Who then can be saved?"
If the rich man has difficulty entering the kingdom, what about the poor man. Will he be able to enter the kingdom? Will all those who do not have wealth, those who have means, be shut out of the kingdom? Who, will be saved, was the shocking question on their minds? And shocking was what Christ wanted to do. He wanted them to understand. For they did not see. They did not hear. They did not understand the truth of the kingdom of heaven. Wealth or power or influence does not of itself open the doors to the kingdom.
Christ wanted them to understand the difficulty that riches of itself could pose to hinder one from entering the kingdom. Riches are of the earth. Riches belong to the world. Earthly riches are of no value in the kingdom. Yet earthly riches are what we seek to have. Earthly wealth is what we all desire. Power and influence are the things that we wish to possess so that we might walk with those who are rich and famous. We desire to be seen in the news or on the magazine cover or at a celebrity event. We seek recognition.
But the criteria for the kingdom is not recognition. The criteria for the kingdom is not pride but humility. The criteria for the kingdom is not wealth but poverty of spirit. The criteria for the kingdom is not hatred but love, not anger but forgiveness, not lust but modesty, not greed but charity. Christ wanted his disciples to understand these principles just as he wants us to understand them today. He calls upon us to practice these principles in the here and now so that we will be prepared to enter into the kingdom. He has given us the blueprint on how to live our lives.
The decision is ours to make. God is our father. He knows our needs. He provides for us daily in every way, if we choose to see and believe. Those coincidences and circumstances that happen to us, happen by his hands. Those little things that he gives us, daily, are his provisions, his protections. If we could only see and understand, how grateful we would be. For he is our provider. He is our protector. He is our source for life. Our heart's satisfaction is in him. Our desire to be loved is fulfilled in him. Our longing for peace is through him and he will give us everlasting peace. Seek him and you will know. Ask him and he will provide. Patience is the key. Love him and you will know his love for you.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
The disciples heard the words of Christ and they were astonished. They were in disbelief. They could not understand what they had heard. Their minds immediately thought of fear and anxiety. And their hearts were filled with loss. For they assumed that all would have access to the kingdom of heaven especially those who had wealth and riches. But Christ wanted them to know the rules. He wanted them to understand that the spiritual kingdom was not the same as the physical world.
In the physical world those who have riches, those who have power, those who have influence are the privileged. They are the ones who can use their power to get what they want. But in the spiritual world there are rules, there are criteria by which one is judged before entering. And the criteria specify that one lives by certain requirements here on earth. The disciples did not understand the truth of the words that were spoken. They did not hear with their hearts the meaning of the message. And as a result they came to the conclusion and said, "Who then can be saved?"
If the rich man has difficulty entering the kingdom, what about the poor man. Will he be able to enter the kingdom? Will all those who do not have wealth, those who have means, be shut out of the kingdom? Who, will be saved, was the shocking question on their minds? And shocking was what Christ wanted to do. He wanted them to understand. For they did not see. They did not hear. They did not understand the truth of the kingdom of heaven. Wealth or power or influence does not of itself open the doors to the kingdom.
Christ wanted them to understand the difficulty that riches of itself could pose to hinder one from entering the kingdom. Riches are of the earth. Riches belong to the world. Earthly riches are of no value in the kingdom. Yet earthly riches are what we seek to have. Earthly wealth is what we all desire. Power and influence are the things that we wish to possess so that we might walk with those who are rich and famous. We desire to be seen in the news or on the magazine cover or at a celebrity event. We seek recognition.
But the criteria for the kingdom is not recognition. The criteria for the kingdom is not pride but humility. The criteria for the kingdom is not wealth but poverty of spirit. The criteria for the kingdom is not hatred but love, not anger but forgiveness, not lust but modesty, not greed but charity. Christ wanted his disciples to understand these principles just as he wants us to understand them today. He calls upon us to practice these principles in the here and now so that we will be prepared to enter into the kingdom. He has given us the blueprint on how to live our lives.
The decision is ours to make. God is our father. He knows our needs. He provides for us daily in every way, if we choose to see and believe. Those coincidences and circumstances that happen to us, happen by his hands. Those little things that he gives us, daily, are his provisions, his protections. If we could only see and understand, how grateful we would be. For he is our provider. He is our protector. He is our source for life. Our heart's satisfaction is in him. Our desire to be loved is fulfilled in him. Our longing for peace is through him and he will give us everlasting peace. Seek him and you will know. Ask him and he will provide. Patience is the key. Love him and you will know his love for you.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
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