Matthew 19: Kingdom Counsel (5)
Pray Psalm 27.4-6.
One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Sing Psalm 27.4-6.
St. Denio: Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise
One thing we request but to dwell with You, LORD,
Your beauty to test and to think on Your Word.
In trouble You hide us secure in Your grace;
no foe may o’erride us: We sing of Your praise.
Read Matthew 19.1-26; Meditate on verses 23-26.
What do you need God to make “possible” for you today?
Prepare.
1. What did Jesus say about people who love material riches?
2. How did the disciples respond to this?
Meditate.Material riches are not evil. Trusting in them and organizing your life around them, rather than in and around Jesus, is evil. Material wealth can become an idol. We labor for it, indulge in it, store it up, covet more of it, look to it for all our wants and needs, and never seem to have enough of it. A person who thus clings to material riches—to any degree—or to anything other than Jesus, is trusting the wrong god for eternal life. Jesus refuses to be an add-on to your life’s security, enjoyment, or convenience. He insists on being all these and more. A camel can’t squirm through the eye of a sewing needle, and a person who trusts in anything but Jesus and the riches that come with knowing Him is not going to make it into the Kingdom of God.
The disciples were astonished to hear this (v. 25). Why? Because, like many people, they assumed that material prosperity was an indication of the favor of God. Those who were wealthy and happy must surely be favored by God. If they can’t be saved, then who can?
Those whom God chooses to save, that’s who. All who truly believe in Jesus recognize that the treasures of heaven—which are all to be enjoyed in Christ (Matt. 6.19-21; Col. 2.3)—are more valuable than all earthly wealth or treasure. God saves on the basis of merit—the merit of Christ, and not our own.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“It is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19.23).
Why is it so hard? Well, because if you are a rich man or woman, you feel self-sufficient.
You experience no material needs. And to trust in Christ to meet your needs?
To the wealthy, that can seem an unnecessary humbling. They’ve got this, thank you very much.“The rich man’s wealth is his strong city…” (Prov. 10.15).
Sadly, wealth, which is a nice gift if it is tithed generously, used to help others,
and keep oneself out of trouble—can be a detriment to faith.
As Agur wrote,
“Two things I request of You (deprive me not before I die):
Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me;
Lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the Name of my God” (Prov. 30.7-9).
Having enough, as Goldilocks opined upon all of baby bear’s belongings, “Is just right!”
“I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness…
No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!” (Ps. 84.10, 12).
There is, as it were, an upside to being poor:
“Being kidnapped and held for ransom never worries the poor man!” (Prov. 13.8 TLB).
Paul reminds us of other good ways to look at one’s financial situation:
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6.6-8).
But Paul offers a warning akin to Jesus’ words:
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare,
and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,
for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6.9, 10).
God desires greater things for us than that; as Wisdom says:
“Riches and honor are with Me, enduring riches and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and My revenue than choice silver.
I traverse the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice,
That I may cause those who love Me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries” (Prov. 8.18-21).
With Me.
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean of Jesus’ Name.
(Edward Mote, 1834).
In Jesus, with Jesus, trusting Jesus, by Jesus, right monetary attitudes are formed—contentment in whatever. “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound…I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me” (Phil. 4.12, 13).
Reflect.
1. Why is the love of money such a powerful temptation?
2. What can you do to cultivate contentment apart from money?
3. What are the treasures of Jesus that are more valuable than earthly treasures?
Who can be saved? say the disciples. None, saith Christ, by any created power. The beginning, progress, and perfecting the work of salvation, depend wholly on the almighty power of God, to which all things are possible. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Matthew 6.23-30
Pray Psalm 27.1-3, 7-14.
Meditate on the beauty of the Lord and the glory in His face (2 Cor. 4.6). Give thanks and praise for the riches that are stored up for you in Him.
Sing Psalm 27.1-3, 7-14.
St. Denio: Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise
LORD, You are our Light and our Savior most dear!
You guard us with might; therefore, whom shall we fear?
Though evil surround us, our enemies fall;
no harm shall confound us when on You we call.
Hear, LORD, when we cry and be gracious, we pray!
LORD, do not deny us Your favor this day!
Our help, our salvation, though others may fall,
preserve our good station when on You we call.
LORD, teach us; LORD, lead us because of our foes!
Hear, LORD, when we plead for release from their woes.
Had we not believed all Your goodness to see,
our heart sorely grieved and in turmoil would be.
Wait, wait on the LORD; persevere in His grace.
Hold fast to His Word; seek His radiant face.
Be strong, set your heart to abide in His Word;
His grace He imparts; therefore, wait on the LORD.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast continues readings from the book, The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column is working through a study of the role of reason in the life of faith. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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