Possessions and the Kingdom

GOLDEN TEXT: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” —Luke 12:15

MATTHEW 19:16-26

THE rich young man went to Jesus to find out what “good thing” he could do in order to have eternal life. Jesus referred him to the Law because God had promised that one who kept the Law inviolate would thereby gain life. The Law was “ordained to life,” Paul wrote, but because of human imperfection it failed. (Rom. 7:10) The young rich man had discovered this, for he told Jesus that he had endeavored to keep the Law, and then inquired, “What lack I yet?”

In the divine plan, two opportunities for life have been provided—two salvations, as it were. One of these will be offered to all mankind during the thousand years of Christ’s reign, the period described by the Apostle Peter as “times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:19-21) This will be life on the human plane. The other is described by the Apostle Paul as the “great salvation [to the divine nature] which … began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.”—Heb. 2:3

Only this “great salvation” was available at the time the young rich man went to Jesus and inquired how he could obtain eternal life. Therefore, when Jesus answered the young man’s question, “What lack I yet?” he outlined for him the terms of the “narrow way” which leads to “glory and honor and immortality.” (Rom. 2:7) Briefly stated, those terms are the giving up of all that we have and are, and faithfully following in the footsteps of Jesus even unto death.

“Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,” Jesus said, and then added, “Take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 10:21) The account says that the young man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions. But probably also he failed to grasp the full import of the Master’s reply. He had asked what he could do in order to live, but Jesus’ answer implied dying—“Take up the cross, and follow me.”

True, Jesus told the young man that if he would do this, he would have “treasure in heaven,” but this could hardly be understood by a Jew whose background of religious instruction had contained nothing pertaining to a heavenly hope. Even so, had this young man been willing to comply with the first condition of giving up his riches, the other points would eventually have been explained to him, but the price was too high.

Observing what had occurred, Jesus explained, “A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3) It is quite possible to be rich in material wealth and still be “poor in spirit.” Conversely, there are also those who are poor materially, yet proud in spirit, not humble, not cognizant of their great need of divine mercy and help.

Had the young man in our lesson showed a willingness to comply with the conditions outlined for him by Jesus, it would later have been explained to him that in giving his all the Lord would make him steward over his wealth, to use it in keeping with his best understanding of the divine will. Thus, in the wisdom of God, this particular condition of the “narrow way” of sacrifice imposes a twofold test upon the consecrated. There is the first test of willingness to part with earthly riches, and then, when made steward over them, the test of sincerity in dispensing them for the blessing of others and to the glory of God.

The thought of a camel going through the eye of a needle is very illustrative of Christian sacrifice. In using this illustration Jesus probably referred to the “needle’s eye” gate, which was a small opening in the walls of Jerusalem used only at night after the larger gates were closed. Being small, it could be easily guarded. It was possible for a camel to pass through this small gate, but only by walking on its knees, and after its load had been removed.

So it is possible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven if he is willing to unburden himself of his riches, and humbly follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Those who are “poor in spirit,” even though materially rich, are able to do this. The New Testament mentions some in the beginning of the age who did. And there are still some today who are willing to meet these conditions.

QUESTIONS

Why did Jesus refer the rich man to the Law as a means of obtaining eternal life?

Does the divine plan contain more than one hope of salvation?

What are the terms of the narrow way which lead to the “great salvation”?

Why is it difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven?

What did Jesus have in mind when he referred to the eye of a needle?

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