Wealth and Rewards
Read: Matthew 19:23-30
Wealth is both deceptive and intoxicating; it fools a person into thinking that he or she is selfsufficient
apart from God. Jesus views wealth as a handicap in the Kingdom of Heaven; in verse
23 He says that “only with difficulty will a rich person enter the Kingdom of Heaven”. He goes on
to illustrate the point with a ludicrous example of a camel trying to squeeze through the eye of a
needle. The eye of a needle was the smallest hole found in the Jewish home. Jesus is painting a
picture of something impossible. Yet the impossible is possible with God! It is not merely difficult
for the wealthy to be saved; without God’s grace it is impossible! By Jewish thinking, the disciples
were right to be astonished in verse 25. The common belief was that the rich were those who God
had blessed therefore if they can’t be saved then who can? Jesus’ reply firmly places salvation in
the category of the supernatural work of God. On this basis, although wealth may be a handicap,
no earthly circumstances can determine a man’s fate. In verse 27 Peter’s question may seem selfseeking
but Jesus acknowledges the rewards that His disciples will receive. The first reward that
Jesus mentions is in the new world. When Christ returns the world will be restored. Christ will rule
and reign sitting in His glorious throne and the twelve will sit on twelve thrones of their own, judging
the tribes of Israel. The disciples can look forward to sharing in Christ’s kingship! What a hope!
Yet this is not just for the twelve, Jesus goes further and includes everyone who has lost something
as a result of following Him and teaches that they will be handsomely repaid! The clincher is verse
30; it speaks of the upside down value system in Christ’s Kingdom. In His Kingdom servanthood
and humility are elevated as greatness.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. If Jesus sees wealth as a handicap in the Kingdom of Heaven, then why do so many believers
live to build wealth? How has wealth been a distraction in your walk with God?
2. Salvation is a supernatural work of God. Spend some time thanking Him for this free gift.
Make a list of ten things that you can thank God for today and then spend some time thanking
Him for each thing on that list.
3. Believers have a glorious day to look forward to – the day Jesus returns and begins the
restoration of the earth. Jesus promises that you will be repaid for each sacrifice that you
make for Him. What sorts of sacrifices have you made for the Kingdom? What sacrifices
is He calling you to make in the future? Thank Him for the hope that you have to receive a
hundred times in eternity.
