Eternal life and the Kingdom of God are synonymous. Here Jesus had just spoken about entering it with the simplicity of a child. Here in Luke 18:18-30, a man sought Him out to find out more on how to enter in. He was not only rich but also young. And he was a ruler, meaning he could be in a position of influence. Some people think that this indicates that he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling Jewish council. From the account, we deduced that this man also knew the law and had realized its inadequacy to fulfil his deeper longing. The adjective he used to call Jesus was the word 'good'. Truly speaking, the only person that is qualified to be described as good is God alone. Perhaps this man saw in Jesus something more than just a mere man. By referring to Jesus as good, he had unwittingly placed Him on par with God. And truly, He is God.
This man also knew the law. So Jesus referred him to the part of the Ten Commandments that stipulated the need to love his fellow man. This man very quickly replied by saying that he had kept them since young. He did not take the time to reflect more. Isn't this true of man? He had sincerity but he lacked moral awareness. Jesus then showed him where his thinking was skewed. If he had truly loved his neighbour as himself, he would have met the needs of the poor with his riches. In fact he had hoarded so much of the riches that it had become his god. So Jesus challenged Him. He showed him why he was not serious in his seeking for eternal life. He had allowed his riches to come in the way. If he had truly loved his neighbour and sincere about wanting eternal life, he would have been willing to give up all to help them and to follow Jesus.
On hearing that, his countenance fell and he went away disappointed. Riches had become his stumbling block, because it was all he cared for in life. We all have our stumbling block in life. We need to know that Jesus was not referring to riches per se. For some, money may not be the issue. But for this particular man, his riches was the thing that prevented him from reaching God. Knowing that his wealth was his god, Jesus used a hyperbole in verses 24-25 to address his issue. “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For 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.” This is an exaggeration to prove a point. Riches is one of man's greatest stumbling block. If it is the sole focus of one's life, it would be impossible to see and realize one's need for God.
Wealth has a way to make us feel that we can live independently from God. It eradicates our sense of need for God. Remember what Jesus said to the church in Revelation 3:17, “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” In verse 26 some who heard it, then asked, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus' reply tells us that with God, all things are possible. The point is this, salvation is God's miracle. The wealthy and poor alike can only experience it through Christ.
We can never be poor when we give our all to Jesus. This is the point Jesus was telling Peter in verses 29-30. When we give our all to Jesus, the return blessings would be astounding. More importantly, we shall inherit eternal life.
Two things we can do.
• Divest of any dependence on wealth. Don't make it our god. Depend on God instead and know that it is He who has given us the power to acquire wealth.
• Invest our wealth. Give and sow them in the cause of God. Prayerfully choose a lifestyle that will not create the need to depend on wealth.
What can we take away from this passage? Wealth is not necessarily bad. But it's the focus on wealth that can be dangerous. We can be so attached to wealth that we forget what is eternally important. Being fixated with wealth increase our tendency to pervert our value. How we handle wealth will determine our spiritual health. Therefore, handle wealth wisely!
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