Slices
Prepare
Consider the many blessings you have received from God; praise him for his goodness.
Bible passage
The rich and the kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’
17 ‘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.’
18 ‘Which ones?’ he enquired.
Jesus replied, ‘“You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honour your father and mother,” and “love your neighbour as yourself.”’
20 ‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’
21 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.’
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 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.’
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’
26 Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’
27 Peter answered him, ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?’
28 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. 29 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. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Explore
Normally, we come to the Bible eager to understand its meaning. However, when it comes to this passage, many of us may rush to state what it doesn’t mean! Jesus, we console ourselves, doesn’t call all those who follow him to surrender their wealth and possessions, just this particular individual (v 21). Our familiarity with these verses has perhaps bred contempt for the rich man – surely, one so wealthy could not possibly be disciple material. The judgment that someone else, because they have more money than we do, is more compromised in their commitment to Christ than we are, is all too easily made.
The disciples made the opposite assumption. Their astonishment at Jesus’ assertion about how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven (v 25) indicates that they regarded this man as an ideal candidate for discipleship.
Both assumptions are wrong because neither leaves room for the goodness and grace of God. Entry into life in all its fullness rests not on human endeavour or material blessings, but in the hands of God. Since all things are possible with God (v 26), both rich and poor alike may attain the necessary detachment from wealth that permits complete devotion to Christ.
Respond
‘That Jesus did not command all his followers to sell all their possessions gives comfort only to the kind of people to whom he would issue that command!’* Share your feelings about today’s passage with God now.
*R. H. Gundry, Matthew: A Commentary on His Literary and Theological Art, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1982.
Deeper Bible study
‘O Divine Master … in giving we receive; in pardoning we are pardoned; and in dying we are born to eternal life. Amen.’1
Jesus is approached by a young wealthy man asking how to enter the eternal kingdom. If he had heard Jesus’ previous words (v 14), he would know. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, specifying the relational laws (six to nine of the Decalogue) and adding, after them, the fifth commandment, to honour one’s parents, followed by the summary of Jewish ethical belief, urging neighbourly love.2 These last two commandments expose what this man lacks. The placement of the fifth suggests that he has inherited his wealth. The last alerts readers to his problem: he loves himself but does not truly love his needy neighbours. His lack of self-awareness is seen in his arrogant claim to have kept them all. Like many of us who are wealthy, he justifies himself and is blind to his failure.
Still, the man does ask what he lacks, probably expecting to hear ‘nothing’.
Jesus commands him to sell everything and give to the poor, promising him heavenly reward. He must then follow Jesus. In that day, this was a tough ask. Wealth was corporately owned and to sell it, give away the proceeds and follow Jesus would see the man’s family lose wealth and honour. This is too much for him and he leaves, sorrowful. He chooses family over God’s call.3
Jesus then teaches that it is easier to squeeze a 500 kg dromedary through a needle’s eye than for a rich person to enter God’s reign. Yet, thankfully, with God, it is possible. The disciples have done what is required and will be rewarded. This is good news for all of us who are wealthy – but will we camels allow ourselves to be squeezed through a needle’s eye, divesting ourselves of our wealth on behalf of the needs of others?
Take some time to consider what is yours. Ask God to guide you in how to use it for his kingdom and for those in need. Respond.
1 Francis of Assisi, adapted 2 Exod 20:12–16; Lev 19:18 3 Cf Matt 8:21,22
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 7,8; Psalms 1,2
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for Rachel Warwick, Director of Mobilisation, and the Mobilisation team as they share stories of what God is doing through Scripture Union. Pray that he will use their work to inspire supporters to continue to pray, volunteer and give.
