Latest / The Daily Word / May 2 – The Danger of Trusting in Wealth
Transcript
- Robert Rosales: Good morning, Lakeshore family. Welcome to the Daily Word podcast. I'm Robert Rosales and alongside my wife Yolanda, we have the honor of serving as our campus pastors at our Gastonia location. This podcast is a simple space we share each day to slow down, open God's Word, and pay attention to what he's saying. As a church family, we're committed to meeting with God daily, not out of religious routine, but out of a relationship. through the scripture, through prayer, and by capturing what the Holy Spirit is stirring in our hearts and how it connects to our everyday lives. We're walking together through the Life Journal reading plan, and today we'll be focusing on the New Testament portion from that plan. When I invest time with the Lord, I try to keep things uncluttered, just my Bible, my journal, something to write with, and a highlighter to mark what stands out. At times, I'll also lean in on a couple of trusted study tools to help me go a little deeper and stay grounded in context. Not to replace God's Word, but to help me to understand it more deeply. We also follow the SOAP method, Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. It's a simple and practical way not just to read the Word, but to respond to God. Before we jump into today's passage, Let's take a moment and pray to prepare our hearts. Just agree with me. Father God, as we open your word, we ask that you would open us. By your spirit, make your truth come alive in us. Give us ears to hear, hearts to receive, and courage to respond. Speak, Lord. We're listening. In Jesus' name, amen. Today's passage for May 2nd is Matthew chapter 19 and I journaled from verses 23 and 24. Let me read them to you out of the NIV. Then Jesus said to his disciples, truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 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. Here's the title of my journal entry, The Danger of Trusting in Wealth. Here's my observation. Jesus speaking to his disciples says this after the rich young ruler walked away from Jesus because he had great wealth. That was in verse 22. The ultimate point Jesus is making is that anyone who has wealth and trusts in it more than in God through Christ, cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Interesting study highlighted about this text. According to BibleRef.com, that's a free online Bible commentary. This is what it says. Scholars sometimes disagree over whether Jesus meant what he said as hyperbole, H-Y-P-E-R-B-O-L-E, hyperbole, which is an exaggeration for effect, or if Jesus was saying this as a reference to something more common. The less poetic explanation suggests that the eye of a needle refers to a small gate in the city walls used at night to prevent invasions. For a camel to pass through this, the animal would have to be stripped of its load and even then it might not fit. However, the more reasonable and contextually supported explanation is that Jesus just means this as a dramatic metaphor with all the implications it carries. BibleRef.com also says, the camel is the largest animal most people in that era would know, in contrast to the smallest opening most people would think of. Jesus means it is impossible. for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God, not just tricky. That truth is tied to what scripture teaches about salvation and to the idea of spiritual poverty. Matthew 5.3, for example, says, blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall inherit the kingdom of God. Poor in spirit is not about finances, it's about spiritual posture. The word poor here carries the idea of a complete dependence, like a beggar who is nothing and knows it. Spiritually, it describes someone who recognizes that they don't have any righteousness on their own, they can't save themselves, and they're completely dependent on God's grace. It's the complete opposite of spiritual pride. Now, let's pull this observation full circle. When Jesus says, 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, this was a counter-cultural statement because mainstream Judaism never denied the rich a place in the kingdom of God. Many of its leaders were rich. Jesus allows for the rich to enter the kingdom of God by God's grace, only if they're placed their complete trust in His grace and demonstrate that by giving to the poor. The rich young ruler in verses 18 through 22 broke the very first commandment because he made wealth an idol, i.e. his God, small g. So how does all of this apply to my life? Well, through this passage, I'm reminded that no matter how much material wealth or gain we have, I must never place any of my trust in it. This doesn't mean I'm not a responsible steward of finances. It doesn't mean I can't save or plan for retirement. It means I must not place my trust in temporary earthly wealth above my trust and dependence on Christ Jesus. I will ask the Holy Spirit to always help me remember. that I am absolutely spiritually bankrupt without Jesus. He is my Savior and without Him I am nothing, destitute and lost in my sins before a holy God. And here's my prayer. Father God, thank you for speaking to me today through your word. Holy Spirit, help me always place my trust in Christ and never rely on or trust in any temporary earthly possessions. I choose to cling to God and I refuse to trust in money or financial security. I will have a loose grip on everything, knowing that everything belongs to you. In Jesus' name, amen. Lakeshore family, as you go into your day, my prayer is that you'll develop a hunger for God and His Word like you've never had before. As you do, God will open your eyes to the riches of His Word, giving you revelation and life-changing insight. that will help you become everything God's called you to be, fulfilling your mission, purpose, and plan for our great Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thanks for joining me today on the Daily Word Podcast. I hope this encourages you to stay faithful in the Word and sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading. God bless you, and we'll catch you again tomorrow.