The Difficulty Of Having Riches And Serving The Lord
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, “In Matthew 19:23-24, we know that Jesus is not talking about the impossibility of a rich person entering the kingdom of God because we have the example of faithful Abraham being a wealthy man (Genesis 13:2) and yet “he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23; cf. 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8).
With the above thoughts in mind, can you please explain to us in today’s vernacular what Jesus was saying to his disciples regarding riches in Matthew 19:23-26?”
In these passages, the main message of Jesus is that riches are deceitful. Those who have acquired a great deal of money in this life are most often deceived by it as opposed to using it correctly. In Mark’s account, we see the reason rich folks are deceived is because they “trust in riches” (Mark 10:24; cf. 1 Timothy 6:17).
While it is possible to use money correctly in serving the Lord (as in the example of Abraham), it is exceedingly difficult, with only a low percentage of folks capable of doing it.
Paul tells Timothy that instead of trusting in our money, we should trust “in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). He goes on to say that our riches should consist of “good works” (Ephesians 2:10; cf. Acts 10:38), a giving attitude (2 Corinthians 8:1-5), and a willingness to share with others (1 Timothy 6:18; cf. Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32; Acts 4:34-35).
The following Bible-based outline by Brother Kevin Cauley, Bible instructor at the Southwest School of Bible Studies, further illustrates the attitude we should have toward money:
- Our Attitude Toward Money
Related Articles:
- Two “Stewards”—A Study in Contrast
- Matthew 19:24 – The Rich and Heaven
- Psalm 49, Trusting In Riches
- Rich Man, Poor Man
- The True Meaning to Life #7. A Study in Ecclesiastes