Daily Devotional - Discipleship - WK34 - 08/18/24 - Day 210 “Money and a Camel"

Author: Evangelist Lisa Dalton

"Money and a Camel"
Scripture: Matthew 19:23-24 NKJV
"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. 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.”

Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus speaks about the difficulty for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. The disciples were astonished because, in their culture, wealth was often seen as a sign of God’s blessing. But Jesus turns this notion on its head, explaining that wealth can be a hindrance to spiritual growth.

Why is it so hard for the rich to enter heaven? It is not because wealth is inherently evil, but because it can easily become an idol. When we place our trust in material possessions, we lose sight of our dependence on God. The "eye of a needle" metaphor underscores the impossibility of entering God’s kingdom based on our own merits or wealth; it is only by God’s grace that anyone can be saved.

The disciples, shocked by Jesus’ statement, ask, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus responds that with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. This reminds us that salvation is not something we can earn; it is a gift from God. Discipleship may require us to give up things that hold too much importance in our lives—be it wealth, status, or relationships. But God promises that whatever we give up for His sake will be more than repaid in the kingdom of heaven.

Peter, always quick to speak, points out that the disciples have left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus assures them that those who sacrifice for the kingdom will receive a hundredfold in return and will inherit eternal life. This does not necessarily mean material wealth in this life, but rather spiritual blessings and the ultimate reward of eternal life.

Jesus concludes with the statement, "But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." This is a call to humility and a reminder that God’s values are often the opposite of the worlds. In God’s kingdom, true greatness comes from serving others and prioritizing His will above our own desires.

Application:
Evaluate Priorities: Reflect on what you might be holding onto that could hinder your relationship with God. Are there any "riches" (not just money, but anything that takes priority over God) that you need to let go of to follow Jesus more fully?

Trust in God’s Provision: Consider how you can trust God more with your needs. Remember, He has promised that anything we sacrifice for His sake will be returned to us in greater measure.

Embrace Humility: Practice putting others first in your daily life, knowing that in God’s eyes, the last shall be first.

Prayer:
Lord, help us to hold loosely to the things of this world and to seek first Your kingdom. Give us the courage to follow You wholeheartedly, knowing that You are our greatest treasure. Amen.