One of the wealthiest ladies I’ve ever met told me that I “wore my religion on my sleeve”. She meant it in a derisive, mean-spirited way, but I actually felt pretty good about her comment.
She’s a member of the “lucky sperm club” and the Lord has blessed her enormously with wealth earned the old fashioned way, (she inherited it). She had about every material possession that someone could want, but was cold as a stone inside. It was rather obvious that she didn’t have much of a relationship with God and her vile mouth and sour disposition confirmed that in crystal clear fashion.
I know too many people who are in her position spiritually. While most people desire wealth, the Bible warns us that it is not all that one might think it is and can create difficulties in our spiritual walk that can prevent us from ever seeing heaven. In fact Jesus stated that it’s harder for a rich person to get into heaven than a camel to go through the “eye of a needle”.
When asked about who could do such a thing, Jesus responded that nothing is impossible for God.
What did he mean by that? Christ used a proverbial expression that made clear that such a feat is altogether unattainable by the power of mankind, but that the beautiful grace of God, (and nothing less), will enable a rich person to get over this difficulty.
He said, “How hard it is for them that trust in riches!”
Folks learn to trust in their riches, and focus on their earthly state because the world seems secure, and thus they are deceived into believing that change and chance will not affect them like it does others. They love this world which is so good to them and so pleasant in their eyes, and they have no earnest longing for a better home. In short they love their life of luxury so much that they have no desire or need of anything else. Such is the natural consequence of the great possession of wealth, and that which makes the impossibility of entrance into the kingdom a possibility.
Who can be saved? What we need to understand is that none can be saved by any created power, but salvation depends entirely upon the almighty power of God, to which all things are possible. It’s not merely that rich people can’t be saved by their lust of the world and all that is in it, but that they should be saved from it.
So why is this impossible without God’s intervention?
Jesus told a wealthy ruler, (Nicodemus), “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” If we closely look at this expression, we understand that birth is the beginning of life; to be born again, is to begin to live anew. Those who have lived large with little spiritual purpose must now have a new nature and must develop new principles, new direction, and new aims apart from their earthly treasure.
No stronger expression could have been chosen to signify how great and most remarkable a change of state and character must occur than being “born again”. We must completely change directions and be entirely different from what we were before. That is unappealing to the rich and thus defines the dilemma.
Does that type of wholesale change seem unappealing to you? Are you pretty well satisfied with this life?
Hmmm . . . Selah
As for me I long for the day that my work on this earth has been completed and God calls me home. I’m often criticized by my family and friends for stating this, but my interpretation of the Bible is that it’s a healthy thing to long to see Jesus and walk the golden streets of heaven with Him. This is not to say that I don’t enjoy my family, friends, and some aspects of this earthly life, but it is to say that I will not be complete as a creature of God as long as I’m separated from Him, and thus until I’m reunited with Jesus I will continue to greatly look forward to that glorious day.
Of course I realize I have a purpose and I’m trying to muddle my way through this difficult life and accomplish it, but I highly anticipate and cherish that day when my work has been completed and I head home for a feast with our Lord God Jehovah.
Though I didn’t start out like that, after I was “born again” I quite naturally put Jesus first in my life as best I know how. Now if that is wearing my religion on my sleeve, then I’m wearing my religion on my sleeve baby!
Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed [changed] by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”