Money itself possesses neither inherent goodness nor evilness. Its significance arises from the manner in which it is utilized. Money can be employed for malevolent purposes or for the betterment of oneself and others. The choice lies solely with us. It can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how we use it.
Deuteronomy 28:1-3 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:
“Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.
If we choose to listen to God and keep His commandments we are under His protection. We can always repent of our sins and turn our lives around to honor Him. We are blessed in our faith in Him to do what we cannot. In rejecting the Lord we are left alone to fend for ourselves.
Matthew 21:12-16 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”
Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?”
And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read,
‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have perfected praise’?”
Jesus expelled all those who had turned His house into a den of thieves. They were exploiting the poorest believers for their gain. Carla
Matthew 19:21-26
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 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. 24 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.” 25 When His disciples heard it, 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.” The New King James Version
The challenge comes from being overly attached to earthly goods. Jesus employs this ridiculous impossibility to capture His hearers’ attention and emphasize the great sacrifice necessitated by the kingdom of heaven. Jesus’ remarks in Matthew 19:23–24 reverse the conventional wisdom of His day. It was commonly believed that if someone was blessed with riches, they had God’s approval and were thereby assured of entrance into His kingdom of heaven. Faithlife Study Bible
Jesus’ comment about a rich man’s salvation would have been difficult for some Jewish people in this period to accept because they held to a form of “prosperity theology.” If people prospered, it was evidence of God’s blessing on them. Whereas verse 23 says it is hard for a rich man to become saved, verse 24 implies that it is as impossible as passing a camel through the eye of a needle. The NKJV Study Bible
Christ’s words show that it is hard for a rich man to be a good Christian, and to be saved. The way to heaven is a narrow way to all, and the gate that leads into it, a strait gate; particularly so to rich people. More duties are expected from them than from others, and more sins easily beset them. It is hard not to be charmed with a smiling world. Rich people have a great account to make up for their opportunities above others. It is utterly impossible for a man that sets his heart upon his riches, to get to heaven. Christ used an expression, denoting a difficulty altogether unconquerable by the power of man. Nothing less than the almighty grace of God will enable a rich man to get over this difficulty. Who then can be saved? If riches hinder rich people, are not pride and sinful lusts found in those not rich, and as dangerous to them? 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. Not that rich people can be saved in their worldliness, but that they should be saved from it. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Matthew 13:22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Our Savior is the ultimate example of service, sacrifice and faithful character that left even His enemies unable to form a valid criticism. Jesus teaches us how to lead with integrity and love. When we serve others like our Savior, His love wells up in our hearts, flows out of our homes, and brings a taste of heaven to a hungry, hurting world. Serving others with the passion and integrity of Jesus is our goal because, in the end, it highlights the way of the gospel. First5
In this broken world where hope is often tentative,
and courage is too easily vanquished by fear,
we give thanks that a holy presence has invaded our life.
As autumn leaves lose their luster,
and as a lengthening night draws near,
we are grateful that the light that has come into the world
is even now establishing in us a beachhead for kindness,
touching whatever we know of sorrow.
And we ask that that presence, that caress,
embolden us to be gracious to all whose lives we touch.
And may we know joy. Alleluia.
Martin Townsend excerpt Sabbath Moments
Colossians 2:9 says he did: “For in Christ there is all of God in a human body.” All God, all man. Don’t we need a God-man Savior? Max Lucado
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