This
question was asked when Jesus said that it would be difficult for the rich to
enter the kingdom of God. One of the rulers He talked with has just walked away
sad because He asked him to let go of all his riches, sell them and give to the
poor. The man considered his possessions more precious than obeying the
instructions of Jesus. He missed a life changing opportunity.
My focus
today is not to attempt to answer the question the disciples asked but to
address the mindset and assumptions that produce such a question.
Firstly, the
question assumes that the rich enjoys special favors from God and a man who has
wealth is held at high esteem before Him. Even if the poor does not get an
answer from God, when the rich asks, God will quickly answer because he is rich
in wealth, they thought. Hence what Jesus said stunned them and they asked, if
the rich is not saved, who then can be saved?
Secondly, this
question assumes that God looks at the rich the same way man looks at him. It
assumes that our values are the same with God’s - He places value on the things
we place value upon. Here we value people based on our perception of their
wealth size. Special attention is paid on people based on what we perceive them
to worth in terms of wealth. Jesus’ assertion was against this assumption;
therefore, the question, “who then can be saved”
Thirdly, the
question assumes that God knows, recognizes and regards people based on their riches.
Here we honor people and respect their views based on our perception of their
wealth level. Oftentimes, even when their views have logical flaws, they are
managed and their flaws ignored because their wealth is important to us. In
some cultures, people are given chieftaincy titles only because they are
perceived to have more wealth than others. They are made rulers and given positions
of authority. Those that heard Jesus were astonished to see Him ask the rich
man to sell everything he had, give them to the poor, and then come and follow Him.
The man walked away sad and Jesus did not bother to pursue after and call him
back, instead He commented as He watched him walk away “how hard is it for the
rich to enter the kingdom of God”. His commentary shocked their assumptions and
they asked “who then can be saved?”
Finally, the
question assumes that salvation is easier for the rich than for the poor. In
fact, the rich enjoys God’s salvation while the poor that suffers has problems
with God, they thought. Just for illustration, if you are in a meeting and
disaster happens, you notice that attempts will be made first to rescue those
in authority and people of wealth before others, displaying the supposition that
their salvation is more important than the salvation of every other person
involved in the tragedy. That is who we are in this world. That is the life we
live based on these assumptions. The audience of Jesus was astounded to hear Him
alluding to the possibility of the rich not making the Kingdom of God and they
asked “who then can be saved?”
God gives us
the power to make wealth and our wealth increases our power to create options.
As God increases us and expands our capacity to create options, may we not
create options or alternatives to Him or become gods ourselves. Instead may we
keep our hearts humble and remain poor in spirit and in awe of Him knowing that
no matter how powerful, rich and untouchable we may become before men, with God
alone belongs all possibilities including doing to and with us that which no
man is able to do. The reply of the Lord Jesus is instructive here, “what is
impossible with men is possible with God” Luke 18 vs 27.
What are our
assumptions when we choose our preferences? Even in the church, what are the
assumptions that drive the things we do? It is clear that behind our questions,
attitudes and actions are the assumptions we have made. Wrong assumptions will lead
to wrong living. May we ensure that our assumptions do not run against the mind of
Christ. This is because His ways are not our ways. God bless you.
