How Large Is Your Camel?

Matthew 19:16-26

Just then, a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?”“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.” “Which ones?” the man asked. 

Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself

Before Jesus' death and resurrection, the New Covenant had not been established and when this man came to Jesus for answers, he was told to obey the commandments of the law which he had always done.  

This man who was asking Jesus these questions was wealthy and he desired eternal life with Christ, but He had a flaw Jesus saw that the others could not see. He loved his riches more than he desired eternal life.  He trusted his riches more than He trusted Christ.

After Christ died for our sins as the last and final sacrifice and rose again, He gave us a New Covenant.  The law of Moses, or the Old Covenant passed away.  Obeying the commandments and making blood sacrifices is  now no longer the way to save our souls and give us eternal life.  We have a free gift of life offered by Jesus and all that is required of us is to accept it, ask for forgiveness of our sins, and live our lives for Him. 

When we live with Christ as our teacher and our example, the commandments of the law are written on our hearts and we obey them because we love Him, not because of a law.  

“All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”Jesus told him, “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.”

When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth. 

We don't know if he ever came back or if he did what Jesus asked of him. We pray that he did, but his same attitude exists today.  Many people who have been blessed with money (not all, by any means), trust in their riches more than they trust in God, and have great difficulty giving away large sums to those in need.  

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 

Often, those of us who do not have great wealth wonder why someone, maybe a family member, is not helping us.  They have so much and we have so little.  They see us struggling and yet they don't help and sometimes don't even see how blessed they really are.

This frustrates many people who are struggling financially, to the point that they may turn away from these people.  We wrongly think badly of them.  

This believe that money is their security is not their fault. The devil has blinded their eyes so that they see only their own needs and wants. They don't trust God, they trust in money.  They are proud of what they have and feel deserving of this wealth.  It is the powers of darkness that are blocking the way for them to see the truth of God's love and faithfulness. 

Only God, who is good, can bring these people into His kingdom.  That is what He wants and what we want isn't it?  Would we give up our lives, struggles and all, and give up God and eternal life for riches?  Never!  We have more than they will ever have if they don't find the truth and follow Jesus.  

We have eternal life with Christ. We have assurance that God will meet our needs.  When we look back, we can see that He always has and looking forward we know that He always will. Christ gives us a generous spirit so we can help others and we get to experience the joy of doing so.

What do they have? They have money and the fear of life without it. They work at holding on to it.  They miss the blessings of God. They die in their sins.  

We must pray for these people, that their eyes will be opened. And for ourselves, that we will have greater faith in our good God.  We must see them for the lost souls that they are and have compassion, not jealously, hate or anger.

 When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19: 16-26

 Prayer: Lord help us to pray for all of the lost in this world who don't truly know you and your goodness. Let us have faith in your blessings and a certainty that you will meet our needs.  Let us remember that you are all we need, not the riches of this world. Amen.