March 07, 2025 | Be God's Family
Poor Children and Rich Rulers
Scripture: Matthew 19:13-30(NIV)
13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Devotional
So often, I have read these parables as two distinctly separate stories. Jesus and the Little Children and the Rich Young Ruler. Two different events, two different times and two different sets of people.
However, we have to remember that the verse numbering and the "titles" were added later by fallible humans and that these two stories are really one story, told as a contrast.
We begin with the innocent young children who love Jesus "just because." Jesus welcomes them with the phrase that titles our food pantry, "Come to Me," and He blesses them.
By contrast, the young man who asks what he must do to get eternal life does so with conditions. He begins by justifying himself as if he could earn eternal life from God.
Jesus quickly cuts through the man's justifications by getting to his idol. When Jesus said, "sell your possessions and give to the poor," it cut this man to the core because it attacked the real love of his life, his wealth. He had been willing to follow Jesus, but only "if."
Last Spring, I was blessed to join Pastor Ben's "Counterfeit Gods" study where we examined the idols of our hearts. We are so fortunate to have a church that prioritizes Bible study and faithful pastors like Ben. The study made me so much more aware of my own idols and where I fall short in my full surrender to God.
What is Jesus calling you to surrender so that you can really follow Him?
Poem
How Big Is Your Basket
Psalm 112
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
Psalm 112: 4-5
How big is your basket? How open your hands?
How gracious, compassionate, gen’rous your plans?
How righteous your actions? How noble your thoughts?
How often by you is great fruit always wrought?
How stingy your pocketbook held tight in hand?
How boastful your claim to your property, land?
How rich are your garments? Is your closet full
While others stand begging for bread in the cold?
How deep is your joy when you see others win?
How often do you see past color of skin?
How eager are you to lend others a hand?
Will you find a place where the righteous do stand?
How true are your thoughts to the words you do speak?
How deep do you let bitter roots in heart creep?
Just how much resentment, rebellion allow
Before spewing its poison, accusations aloud?
What life do your children see when you’re at home?
E’en when you are with them, do they feel alone?
Are words filled with blessing falling on their ears
Or when you come home do they huddle in fear?
My friend, how you answer these questions does count
As you ponder your life, bring your thoughts to account
But even if you ignore actions all rife
One day, God will stand and will then judge your life
