May 5
‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’ Mark 10:23
Bible reading: 1 Timothy 6:17-21 (Go to the Bible passage)
Actually, it is a pity that in today’s bible verse the word ‘rich’ is mentioned, for it does not really say so. It could better be translated by: ‘How hard it is for those who have possessions to enter the kingdom of God.’ Then this passage becomes not just a message for wealthy young men, but also for people who own less. For we need not to be rich to be bound to worldly possessions.
Anyone who is bound, tied down, to his earthly possessions, will not enter the kingdom of God. For the kingdom of God is not of this world. As long as we are stuck with the things of this world, our heart will be divided. That is why Jesus told the young man who had great wealth, ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven’ (Mark 10:21b).
Apparently, Paul understood this well, for he said, ‘The time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away’ (1 Corinthians 7:29,31).
All this world can offer us, is uncertain wealth at best. But this uncertain wealth can become tremendously significant when we realize that all this has been given to us to do good. As long as we are here on this earth, we must put our hope in God and be willing to share. In this way we may be released from our bondage to worldly possessions, and take hold of the life that truly is life.
When others see the richness of this, they will want to follow us and hereby be redeemed!

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