Prosperity
Can a Rich Man
Enter the Kingdom of God?
Some people warn against prosperity and say that in poverty there is virtue and that being poor is God's will for you. That is not Biblical. 2 Corinthians 8:9."Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."
Yes, we are rich when we have love, joy, peace, and, in many ways, that is more important than just money. When we have enough to meet our needs, give to others, and further the Kingdom of God on earth, Many consider that rich.
But God does not have a problem with making His sons and daughters rich, meaning wealthy. Many examples can be found in the Scriptures: Abraham, King David, and, can't forget, King Solomon (reportedly the richest man who ever lived).
The problem is not how much money you have; someday we will be walking on streets of gold. The problem arises when we check our hearts and find out what we are really relying on. Indeed, it would be harder for a rich man not to rely on those riches. The richer you are, the harder it might be to rely only on God
It’s not only about money. Whether you live paycheck to paycheck or are extremely wealthy, the principles taught here are for all of us. You must understand the whole picture. A lack of knowledge can cause you to misunderstand or miss the point.
Relying solely on God for your security will strengthen your faith and trust in His provision, keeping you from the grip of all false securities and self-reliance, regardless of how much money you have.
Can a rich man enter the Kingdom of God? Scripture says, "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." ...So what does that mean?
A camel can't go through the eye of a needle just as a man can't go through the gates of heaven without the Savior. Relying on anything else, it is impossible to be saved.
Relying Only On God Alone
The encounter between the Rich Man and Jesus is recorded in Matt 19:16, Mark 10:17-22, and Luke 18:18-23, and begins with a young man asking Jesus a question.
'Now behold, one came and said to Him (Jesus), "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.' This statement, Jesus answered, sounds a little out of place, but it really is the key to what is going on here.
The conversation continues as Jesus says, “But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: If you want to be perfect, go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
The rich young ruler couldn't do it. But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions, and he was very prosperous. Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"
Astonished At His words
"Sell all that you have"... The disciples were greatly astonished at His words, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" (Who can sell everything that you have?)
But Jesus looked at them and said,
"With men it is impossible, but not with God;
for with God all things are possible."
It's natural to feel secure in yourself if you have money in the bank or have prosperity in any area. It is very hard, impossible, to give up what you consider your security, whatever that may be.
What are your riches? Maybe it's your talent in some area. It could even be your good looks or likable personality that is your security.
How can anyone not rely on themselves for anything?
It's hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. It's about a heart condition and a way of living by faith. That's the way everyone lives in the Kingdom of God. You cannot ENTER the Kingdom through works, only through faith.
Faith in His Finished works, Faith in what Jesus did for us on the Cross, Faith in what He can do inside us, changing us from the inside out.
And relying on nothing we can do.
The richer you are in prosperity, talent, good works, anything, the Harder it is not to trust in them. For you to give all that away is hard, but not impossible with God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
If you are born of the Spirit, you can see the Kingdom of Heaven. But in John 3:5, Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
Luke 17:21 For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
If you rely on yourself in any way, you can not enter into the Kingdom's ways of doing things. The Kingdom of God is perfect. To enter requires perfection. Jesus said, "If you want to be perfect, sell all that you have and come follow Me." Rely on Him alone.
It's a spiritual principle to see yourself poor in spirit and totally dependent on God. That's why.... Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall see God.
Take up The Cross
Jesus, as always, was teaching the gospel. Jesus said, "Take up the Cross and follow me." The Cross is what Jesus DID.
'Take up' the cross; embrace, accept, or take advantage of the cross. "I'll take you up on that". Take Jesus up on His offer, and say, "I'll accept your offer." I'll receive You as my Savior from everything and follow You.
You cannot save yourself by what you do; you are saved by what HE DID. You must deny yourself, your own abilities. Sell all that is of self and believe in Jesus to save you from all things.
Everything that Jesus has provided for you is in the Cross of Christ. All the victories are in Christ Jesus. He was teaching us how to die to self and live unto God. That's how 'your cross' (that is, your flesh) must be crucified with Christ, and you can not do it on your own. Again, it is not about works; it's faith, we are saved by faith. Die to self and live unto God.
"With men it is impossible, but not with God."
If you try (working in the flesh), you will fail, or worse, become proud of some deceptive success that is, in itself, a failure. We must give up all self-reliance, and who can give up everything?
That's why the apostles were astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus said,
" It is impossible with men, but all things are possible with God.
There is nothing that man can do to obtain eternal life; God must do it, and He did so through Jesus.
Again, you are pointed to the cross. It can only be accomplished in you by God. Just cooperate with Him, allow Him to do it, surrender to Him. Rely on Him. Lean all your weight on Him and let Him carry you. Rest in Him as Jesus rested in His Father in His humanity. And believe with no doubt.
Why do you call Me good?
Jesus answered the young man as He replied, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
This reply is the key to how Jesus, in the flesh, was our living example. Jesus only did what He saw the Father do. He did not rely on His own ability, even though He is the Word of God Himself.
He said, " Follow me.”
Jesus, in the flesh, did not walk according to the flesh. completely rely on His Father in Heaven to live that perfect life in the flesh. How much more must this be true for you and me?
"Follow Me", if you want to be perfect, sell whatever you have - do not rely on anything of self. Deny yourself, take up the cross, and follow me.
Jesus denied Himself and only did what He saw His Father do. He only spoke what the Father spoke. Jesus was in the Father as we are to be in Him. Not relying on anything but God to do in us whatsoever He will. We must rest in Him alone.
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Jesus said, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Luke 22:42 NKJV. Again showing us an example of how with God we can do all things. Jesus could endure the cross because He was relying completely on His Father.
Believe that HE Has Done it.
Jesus loved the rich young ruler and said to him, One thing you lack; If you want to be perfect, sell all that you have, all of your self-reliance...give it away, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Rely only on God entering His rest through faith.
Pick up the cross. It's not the good works you force yourself to do in the flesh. Flesh produces only wood, hay, and stubble. Walk in the Spirit for victory that comes through the cross of Jesus.
Coming to the place where you choose to rely only on God means giving away all your riches and natural abilities and trusting Him alone. Ask God to cause you to have confidence, reliance, and trust only in the cross of Christ for everything. All the work is DONE, for Jesus said from the cross, "It Is Finished!"
It is the Good News, we are saved by Grace and not by works. For the Perfect One has come and made us perfect in Him!
It is not our being “good” that saves us; we could never be perfect in our own abilities. It is the cross alone that saves, keeps you secure, causes you to do the works of God, and walk after the Spirit. Everything depends on what Jesus did on the Cross.
The Good works will come as a result of being saved by Grace. They will come effortlessly, not from human sweat.
Good works will happen from glory to glory; it is a process of growth.
God proved that you are welcome to come to Him when He spread His arms on the cross for you. There is no sin greater than the love of God.
I repeat, there is no sin greater than the love of God. The Blood of Jesus is strong enough to pay for all your sins. Believe it and receive your forgiveness today.
The only unforgivable sin is not believing in Jesus, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, called blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. John 16:8-11
Jesus said, "And He (the Holy Spirit) when He is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not in me;" John 16:8-9 (ASV)
Would you like to renew your commitment to Jesus today or receive Him with your whole heart for the first time?
Choose to believe in the Name of Jesus. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior. Decide to give your life to Him as He gave His life for you.
Ask Him to transform you, and begin living fully for Him now.
Hear the call from Heaven—respond now by openly confessing Jesus as Lord with your own words and a sincere heart.
Believe He died and rose for you. Decide today to accept Him and be 'Born Again' to receive eternal life.
Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6,7 (NKJV)
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
'But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”Romans 5:8 9KJV)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”John 3:16 (NKJV)“
Don't delay; ask Him to come into your heart right now and experience His love.
It is written: if you openly confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
Believe and receive Jesus today for eternal salvation.
God Is With You
Angel Messenger
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