Why A Rich Man Can’t Enter Into Heaven

Hey everybody, it's Jonathan. Today I want to talk to you about why Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Okay. I've been in ministry for 10 plus years, in ministry college for four years, and have heard this subject talked on many times with many different perspectives, many different ideas and theories of what this means. And I've also seen the tension in the church between money and spirituality, especially when it comes to being in ministry or a missionary and how you should have your funds. And there was many different models in the Bible, including Paul who had a business, but Jesus, who had had a lot of money, and it proves it several times throughout. He had a treasurer, he had people backing him, he had soldiers fighting over his clothes or casting lots for his clothes at the cross. So you see so many different aspects and Jesus speaking on it above a lot of things in the Gospels. And so I believe it's a very important subject and I want to dive straight into the passage. I believe I'm going to share with you a conclusion of this passage that you have not heard before or that is not being taught a lot. So let's dive in. First off, thing to understand is the rich young ruler is where this passage is being, is where Jesus spoke about this. And it's not just a passage that's meant to be understood by itself, and it's a passage in the context of another passage. I believe the rich young ruler is being contrasted between the passage before which is speaking about children. Okay? So Jesus said, let the children come, do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to the children. Okay, so the children of God belongs to the children. And then all of a sudden, the very next passage, it talks about the rich young ruler coming to Jesus. So what's unique about the children? Children are completely dependent upon people, upon other people for survival. They need parents, they need someone taking care of them so that they can survive in life. Children need somebody, they're dependent. And so you see where I'm going with this. The rich young ruler comes to Jesus, who has a lot of wealth. He says, I've kept your commandments, I've done everything you said to do. Okay? All the ten Commandments I've done since I was young. And I mean, imagine this in the midst of a culture where, you know, the Pharisees are the teachers of the day and they're saying it's just about what you do, just keep doing the right things and you'll be fine. It's all about works. Jesus says, there's one thing you lack, that's to go and sell all of your possessions and give to the poor. Okay, so we're gonna break down. Why did he say that? Because a lot of people believe. Well, that was just one prescription for one person, not applicable to me. Okay? Or some people may say that was for everybody. You know, that's everybody in the church. You, if you have wealth, you know, God's saying to you, you got to give it all away so that you know you can be saved. It's wrong to be wealthy. Okay? So I don't believe either one of those is true. I don't believe it was just for that one person, and I don't believe it was for everybody. Okay? It's. It's a direct order for everybody. I believe it's both a application for everybody, but it's also for individuals. Okay, so we're going to talk about that. Jesus literally explains exactly what he means throughout this passage and even at the end of it. I'm going to show you something that I believe you have not seen before. Okay? It says, he says one thing you lack. Go sell everything you have. Give to the poor, okay? And then your treasure will be in heaven. And then come follow me. The man's face fell and he went away sad because he had great wealth. Okay? Jesus looked around and said how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. And then it says, the disciples were amazed at this. And Jesus said it again, children, how hard it is to enter 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 the kingdom of God. Okay? So there's where he says it and then it says again. The disciples were even more amazed and said to each other, listen to this. Who then can be saved if rich people can't be saved? I mean, basically what you're telling me, Jesus is it's impossible for a rich man to. To enter heaven. So who's. Who can be saved? I mean, think about it. You know, King Solomon, David, many kings and people of God had a lot of money, okay? Jesus had a lot of money. I broke that down for you. You know, the Disciples families had money. You know, like, who can be saved? And Jesus explains it. With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible. So it's impossible to go to the. To. For a rich man to go through the. Go to the kingdom of heaven. But with God it is possible. Okay? So now here's where we're going to lead to, to finalize this and conclude this, okay? Because what Jesus says next, I believe is the key for us all to understand. And again, I could talk about what Jesus said in terms of wealth for hours because he said a lot of stuff. But even keep in mind, King Solomon, it literally, if you research hard enough, if you research deep enough in studies that have been done, King Solomon was the richest man to ever have lived, okay, even still today. But his number one focus was not wealth. His number one focus. I mean, God literally came down and said, solomon, anything you want, I'll give it to you. Imagine a genie coming down to you right now and saying, anything you want, I'll give it to you. You know, what would you ask for? What would you ask for? Literally, if a genie comes down to you right now and says one thing, I'll give to you whatever you want, what is it? Solomon asked God for wisdom. Wisdom to lead his people, wisdom to do his will. Okay? That only came. David was King Solomon's father. A man of intimacy birthed a man of wisdom. A man who went after God's heart birthed a man who went after wisdom, which is God's heart. Jesus said, my mother and brother are not those that are just my mother and brother on earth. My mother and brother are those who do God's will. That is his requirement of us. So that's what we're going to dive into. What is God's will when it comes to wealth? Is it to get rid of it all and not have any of it? Or is it to utilize it, multiply it and grow it? But what this passage is pointing to, and I'll say one more thing, just a few passages, just a few chapters earlier in Mark. We're in Mark 10, if I didn't say that already, it literally says, it's talking about the parable of the seed and sowing seed in the ground. Some people heard the word and didn't receive it. Some people received the word and didn't obey it. And then. But other seeds were thrown among thorns. And it was people who heard the word. But the worries of life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. The deceitfulness of wealth, the worries of life. I'm telling you, it's talked about constantly. This is what is pointing to. Let's move on. In the passage, Peter said to him, we have left everything to follow you like, what do you mean? You know, we have to. We've left everything. So what about us? I tell you the truth. Jesus replied, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age. And then it highlights it again. Homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, fields, and with them, persecutions in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. So in this passage, Jesus is contrasting children with the rich young ruler. And then he concludes by saying, if you want to receive a hundred times what you currently have, you give it all up for me, okay? But he's not saying everyone is called to give it all up. He's saying, every little bit that you give to me, I promise to give a hundred times as much, both in this life and in the next, okay? Jesus is calling for our whole life, okay? And for us to be completely dependent upon him is the only way that we're going to receive salvation. For you to be completely dependent upon God as your provider, as your Savior, as your friend, as your provider. Well, everything you know, for you to be completely dependent upon God, understanding that at any time, he could take it all away. At any time, he could tell you to give it all up. And so this passage is pointing to those who would be willing to give it all up and truly willing. And I think a lot of times, as you know, people who have a lot of money say, yeah, if he told me that, I'd do it. But are you really listening? I'm not saying he is telling you to do that, but I think that this passage is pointing to the need to be fully dependent upon God. Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added. Matthew 6, I believe, seek first the kingdom of God as Solomon sought first wisdom to do God's will. And then there's also the great priority, the great need to steward the wealth, steward the resources that God gives you, steward the money, steward the wisdom, the intellect, the giftings, the talents, all these things, steward that. And in the parable of talents, Jesus literally said, you must multiply what I give you. So look at what you currently have in wealth. And God is not just saying, do not be dependent upon those things, do not be slave to those things, do not make those your idol. But he's also saying, look at what you currently have, and you're called to multiply it. Now, if you. Your job as follower of Christ, as one who is a child of God inheriting the kingdom is to grow in sensitivity to his voice, to continue to follow him. You know, what if one day he tells you to give it all up? Now, I'm not here to conclude, oh, it's okay, you know, you're fine. That was for the rich young ruler. It's not just for you. I'm here to tell you the truth. I'm held accountable for what I say on this channel, on this video. If you are in a hot heart posture of holding on to what you have, and there's no way you would ever give it up for Christ, then you may be in the position of the rich young ruler. But if you're willing to say, jesus, it's all yours. I'm only here because you've given me the ability to. You gave it. You take it away. Then I believe he's telling you, go multiply what you have. Now, he may be saying, go sell it all and give to the poor. But even in that situation, I'm telling you, I'm living proof of this. Like, you know, coming from ministry background, missionary background, people, you know, raising support, all this stuff, you know, Jesus has told me to give it away. And then he's also literally just handed me properties and handed me all kinds of stuff. We talk about real estate in our program, you know, in our mastermind, we're knocking down apartment buildings and all kinds of stuff, you know, but we have to remain sensitive and humble and in the place of God, your will is supreme, going to leave this life in a blink of an eye. It says like a vapor. Life is like a vapor, which means as soon as you try to grab hold of it, it slips through your fingers. It's all gone. It vaporizes. So I hope this helps. I think it should both cause you to come to the prayer closet to be humble, to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. But it should also inspire you, free you up to go multiply what God's given you. Because even if he tells you to give it away, he's given. He's clearly said, I will multiply it times 100. How's that for a return? A hundred grand. 100 time return on your. The current portfolio on what you currently have. And not just your portfolio. I mean, it says brothers, mothers, sisters, you know, all the things that the enemy would try and take away everything. A hundred times 100 exit. A hundred exit. And it also said persecution. And then the final scripture says, many who will be. Who are first will be last. And the last will be first. Those in this life that, you know esteem themselves as, you know, higher or many who think that that person's first and greater will be last in the kingdom of heaven. And those who are last will be first. All right. I hope that helps. I hope you have a wonderful day. It was a longer video than we normally do, but, yeah, I hope you have a wonderful day.