Daily Devotions – The Rich and the Kingdom of God

Daily Devotions – The Rich and the Kingdom of God

Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Matthew 19:16-30 (NIV)
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 inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor 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.

 

Is there grace in this story?  If so, where?

 

Lord, in this world there are the rich, the powerful and the famous, who people want to follow and be like even if they are unwise and evil. The poor are looked down on, ignored and seen as last. But in Your powerful kingdom, the reverse is the case. Riches and power are not what is important, but trusting in You is. I know in this hostile world, there is a cost to following You. There is what seems to be a cost of giving up things that I know to be wrong. But it is nothing compared to the cost of what You paid to give me eternal life. And it is nothing compared to the cost of not following You. Lord help me to be willing to give everything I have for the sake of Your kingdom. Thank You that the greatest and most enduring riches come from following You. You love me. In a relationship with You, I find Your wisdom and power. Lord, I seek You today. Give me wisdom, peace, and power to live the kind of life You want me to lead. Amen