This is a must share written by David Schmidt from “Financial Storehouse”
How hard is it for a camel to go through the eye of a needle?
I know I am to love my neighbor. And I understand that was said in the red words multiple times.
But you know what type of neighbor makes it hard for me to love?
That neighbor/person that says, “You know 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. So you should think long and hard about encouraging people to be rich.”
Yea that person.
But lets dive into the good book together.
Luke 18:24-25 is the famous verse.
Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, 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.”
These two verses have been used to influence our culture. In a toxic way. In a way that for generations there’s folks who believe rich folks don’t go to heaven! I just wish they would have kept reading the next two verses.
But lets keep reading.
Verse 26 & 27. Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH MEN IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD.”
Without Him we aren’t saved. And it’s impossible to be saved through man and things of this world. But with Him our salvation is possible.
Then I find humor when I turn the page. I also find grace too but I found humor because roughly 15 verses later folks were confused why Jesus had gone to be a guest of a sinner at Zacchaeus’s home.
Oh and Zacchaeus was rich.
And in Luke 19:9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to SAVE what was lost!”
See He came to SAVE the rich like Zacchaeus!
So be encouraged that you have the opportunity to manage the wealth you’ve been blessed with.
Because I was wondering if the folks in America that thought the rich wouldn’t make it to heaven, then are the folks in Guatemala living off a dollar a day poor enough to make it into heaven? See because the Guatemalan thinks that the “poor” Christian in America is extremely rich.
Next time a co-worker, neighbor or friend leads to the misconception about rich Christians, encourage them to enjoy being rich in hopes they can best use God’s money to bless God’s people.
As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor–this is the gift of God. – Ecclesiastes 5:19
The hand of the diligent makes rich. – Proverbs 10:4
Be motivated by the opportunity to impact others.
Because it’s Him who gives us the opportunity to work to become rich. It’s Him who aligns us with the right opportunities through our hard work.
While you gain riches a reminder that there will be more distractions. And there is still idols that we normalize.
But continue to give thanks to him DAILY for the riches in ALL areas of your life. Not just in your finances.
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly ALL things to enjoy. – 1 Timothy 6:17
Live intentional,
David Schmidt
Step 1: $1K IN CASH
Step 2: ELIMINATE DEBT
Step 3: STOREHOUSE FUND: 3 MONTHS EXPENSES IN CASH
Step 4: RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS
Step 5: KID’S COLLEGE
Step 6: ELIMINATE MORTGAGE
Step 7: GIVE, SAVE, LIVE!!!
Financial Storehouse is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” Proverbs 22:6-7
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