Matthew 19:16-30
It frustrates me to think about how much of life is driven by money (housing market, jobs, anything). Everything today pushes towards a cash obsession. Money, more than anything else, appears to be winning the fight for our attention. As we conclude our series on topics in the gospels that the original hearers misunderstood, we will see a challenge about money and its proper place in our lives.
When people talk about money, they use phrases like being better off, or getting to be well off. The question is: are we? While nowhere does the Bible say we can’t have money, the problem of money is very real, as it is something that can rule over a person. So how does the story of the rich, young ruler help us to truly be better off? Let’s explore three perspectives from this passage: first, the young ruler.
POV: The Rich, Young Ruler
Money, to him, is his foundation and source of strength – faith. It has, in a real sense, become his god. Thus, Jesus calls him to exchange the god of wealth for the God of Heaven. The young ruler gets that Jesus has identified the real problem. His many possessions own his heart, and he cannot exchange this god for Jesus. He goes away sad.
This passage speaks of money and eternal life. While the young man had obedience, his foundational trust rested not in God, but in finances. Money provides its own false faith, making him think he doesn’t need God. This is a major issue we live with today; consider the historical track of today’s post-Christian societies – once money and wealth become common, the need for God collapses.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain
Scripture is telling us that we are better off if we hold it loosely and give it away. Don’t let it keep us from God.
POV: Jesus
Again, though, money itself isn’t the problem. In fact, wealth is often connected to God’s blessing in the Old Testament (Gen 13, Deut 28, Ps 112).
“His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.”
Psalm 112:1-3
Because of this, the disciples would have been shocked by Jesus’ comparison of wealth to the camel passing through a needle. What is Jesus really saying here? Money is an obstacle to faith because it competes with it for our love. Money rewards in the “here and now” while faith is the assurance of a future hope. Instead of fixing our eyes on Jesus, they fix it on the riches seen and become trapped, rejecting Christ and trusting in the here and now.
Some rich people did find salvation by becoming Jesus’ disciples (Joseph of Arimathea and Zacchaeus, etc…). They chose to acknowledge the trap of money and remove its allure, running after Jesus instead. Money may look like it makes things possible, but it is a silent trap that takes our attention away from Jesus. We are better off avoiding the allure of money and keeping our focus on Jesus. Only with Him does life (both now and in the future) really become possible.
POV: The Disciples
The last POV offers a dire warning, directly to the disciples. While the disciples are willing to forgo earthly rewards, they are still looking for rewards (Peter asks now and others in the next chapter). Jesus confirms rewards will come, but warns against that as a motivation. If that’s why you are doing it, he warns, that it may not turn out like you expect.
Jesus challenges them to watch closely the trappings that money has on your heart; even the disciples could be led astray. Looking forward, Matthew 20 shows us we are all winners if we trust in Jesus – wealth really won’t amount to much in comparison to being with Christ face to face. Our life on earth isn’t about gaining rewards, but about the fact that we don’t have to worry/think about riches or needs or anything – all we need to do is enjoy our creator’s presence – He is the true satisfaction of life. It is Him, not the “rewards” that will make us truly well off – both in this life and in eternity.
Next Steps
This is all about what motivates us. Money blocks people from salvation, it traps people’s attention and it redirects a believer’s motivation.
- Hold your money loosely and give it away if God asks you to.
- Remember the lilies of the field and how much God cared for those – He cares for you much more and will take care of things. We only need to trust in His providence.
- Make God’s presence your most important thing and reap untold benefits starting now and lasting forever.
Jesus challenges the motivations of the disciples. There is nothing that money can do that God cannot. While it is a visual draw now, it is only a trap. Let God be your true motivation and satisfaction. Break free from money’s grasp. That’s how we become better off.
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