Hard, not impossible
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:23
Today I want to focus on God’s blessings and how they can fill our lives with great joy. God is not against us having things and riches, He is against things and riches having us. He knows that being consumed with the things of earth can destroy us. Instead, we are to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and fill up with God’s goodness and let Him pour His blessings on us!
In today’s verse, Jesus told His disciples that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, but it is not impossible. God wants our faith and trust to be in Him. He doesn’t want us to put our security in things and money because they are not able to give us a satisfying life and they are temporary. However, if we don’t have these things, we are limited in our ability to expand God’s kingdom, bless others, and reach others that have needs.
Material things in this world are very necessary for the time we spend on earth. God wants us to enjoy our time here, and He is the One who gave us the things and the ability to acquire them. Yet, the reason is for eternal purposes not for temporary pleasures. God’s not after your things, He’s after your heart.
Today I encourage you to be thankful for the blessings that the Lord has given to you. Thank Him that He adds no sorrow with them. Reach out to others with the resources that you have been so richly blessed with and show others the love of God through the things you have accumulated in life. Don’t worry about replenishing them. God will always take care and provide for you especially if you are using the blessings He has given you to bless others. Jesus said, “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29 Be a blessing to all those around you because He’s got you covered.
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 19:13-30
13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’
19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say to you, 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.”
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore, what shall we have?”
28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, 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 lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
The Daily Dose 