Riches and Wealth

Today’s Gospel Text:  And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man 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 a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this 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 said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" 28 Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many that are first will be last, and the last first. Matt 19:23-30

Reflection: “Wealth and riches are in his house; and his righteousness endures forever.” Ps 112:3

These are the blessings the Psalmist proclaims on those who fear the Lord and walks in the wisdom of his commandments. 

Like most of those modern day prosperity gospel preachers most of the Jews always believed that it was a blessing to be rich and a curse to be poor.

No wonder the dedicated disciples found the statement of Jesus shocking and difficult to accept; for they had grown up with a mindset that talked about riches and prosperity for the righteous.

Could they be following Christ Jesus because they saw him as a future investment worth more than gold? By his walk and demeanor, Christ Jesus, was assuredly a pathway to prosperity.  They would have to endure his poverty but for a little while only.

"Who then can be saved?" (vs. 25b) was a statement made by these dedicated disciples, with great astonishment.

It seems that Jesus was really against riches and wealth and against the rich and the wealthy?

We could have riches and wealth and can get so enamored by it that we could end up worshipping them.

We could miss out on the purpose and plan that God has for each one of us; a plan for our happiness and eternity.

But with riches we can create our own world of happiness, apart from God; No wonder money can make people happy but God can do it better; he can make us happy even in the face of want and poverty.

How can any human being be so enamored by the gifts that they forget the giver of all gifts?

Yet this is the greatest reality with humans, they keep gathering up the gifts and likewise treat their children too in the same way.

Prayer: The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot. Ps 16:5

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Allow God

Scripture/Bible: For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; 26 truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny. Matt 5:20-26

Reflection:  What is the standard for righteousness or the criteria to evaluate a person, whether if someone is righteous? Can there be any measure to measure righteousness? 

We need to come to grasp with the concept of righteousness in order to understand what Jesus has to say and to be surely on the pathway to enter the kingdom of heaven.

What was the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees that invites the displeasure of Jesus?  Were they really righteous?  Yes, they were righteous according to the standards of the law of God. They diligently followed the law BUT the one thing that they lacked was that they failed to recognize the giver of the law and to love him and seek his wisdom in leading their lives. 

They were zealous for God’s law but not for God, just as you can people who are zealous for the Word of God and yet miss the mark.  They failed to see the human limitation to lead a life of perfection apart from God.

Hence they never stood justified (the Greek word Dikhaisune means both righteous and justified) before God.  They lived their lives to please themselves and men before whom they flaunted their self achieved righteousness.     

Prayer:  “Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of my enemies; make thy way straight before me. Ps 5:8

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Be Righteous

Scripture: In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechari'ah, of the division of Abi'jah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years." Luke 1:5-7

Reflection:  The Scripture tells us this, about Zechariah and Elizabeth; “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.”

What if they continued in life with no children would they have continued to remain righteous before God, followed his commandments and walked blamelessly before God?

Yes, they would; they did not trust God only for the sake of a child or to have one but they trusted God for who he was and it being the right thing to do. To trust God only in order to receive something is not an act of righteous living.

How then one becomes righteous before God? Through faith we are made righteous before God and to trust him absolutely for his own sake is righteousness. To continue to do good and follow his laws persistently, no matter what the odds and trials, communicates faith and thus righteousness.

Prayer: Lord, may my footsteps walk in your ways.

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