JESUS was specific:
Mark 10:23
King James Version
23 And Jesus looked round about,
and saith unto his disciples,
How hardly shall they that have riches
enter into the kingdom of God!
What chance do we have of going to heaven?
Does money count for anything?
Or helping others with the money you have?
How about philantrophy, charity, tithing, supporting scholars, feeding the poor, building homes for the homeless, building churches, holding concerts for the poor?
Let Scripture answer the questions you may have:
Is it wrong to be rich?
Matthew 6:24
King James Version
24 No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other;
or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
What if you think you're a good person?
Mark 10:18
King James Version
18 And Jesus said unto him,
Why callest thou me good?
there is none good but one,
that is, God.
Can our good works get us there?
Ephesians 2:8-9
King James Version
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works,
lest any man should boast.
What if we've followed all of God's commandments?
Mark 10:20-21
King James Version
20 And he answered and said unto him,
Master,
all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him,
and said unto him,
One thing thou lackest:
go thy way,
sell whatsoever thou hast,
and give to the poor,
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:
and come,
take up the cross,
and follow me.
Is it okay to have ambition?
Hebrews 13:5
King James Version
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness;
and be content with such things as ye have:
for he hath said,
I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee.
But what if you're cut out to be rich, or to be a leader?
Proverbs 16:18
King James Version
18 Pride goeth before destruction,
and an haughty spirit before a fall.
What if you want to be famous?
Exodus 20:3
King James Version
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
But what if you were born into wealth?
Mark 10:25
King James Version
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Is it wrong to receive praise for your talents?
1 Corinthians 10:31
King James Version
31 Whether therefore ye eat,
or drink,
or whatsoever ye do,
do all to the glory of God.
By now, I can hear the sighs reverberate around the room.
But the laws of God are pure, precise, and perfect:
We are not to love the world.
1 John 2:15
King James Version
15 Love not the world,
neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.
Believers know the world belongs to the wicked one.
1 John 5:19
King James Version
19 And we know that we are of God,
and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
Instead, Jesus commanded we lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
Matthew 6:19-20
King James Version
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
We are only to focus on the will of God.
Romans 12:2
King James Version
2 And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable,
and perfect,
will of God.
The whole life, and ministry of Jesus, showed perfect obedience to the will of the Father.
We are to do the same.
The disciples of Jesus had a legitimate question:
Mark 10:26
King James Version
26 And they were astonished out of measure,
saying among themselves,
Who then can be saved?
To which, Jesus answered:
Mark 10:27
King James Version
27 And Jesus looking upon them saith,
With men it is impossible,
but not with God:
for with God all things are possible.
We can do all things, through Jesus.
Philippians 4:13
King James Version
13 I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me.
Lastly, the Bible puts life, and wealth, in perspective:
Job 1:21
King James Version
21 And said,
Naked came I out of my mother's womb,
and naked shall I return thither:
the Lord gave,
and the Lord hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord.
1 Timothy 6:7
King James Version
7 For we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
James 4:14
King James Version
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.
For what is your life?
It is even a vapour,
that appeareth for a little time,
and then vanisheth away.
There is no buying our way into heaven.
Man's wealth means nothing to the Lord.
Power, position, and prestige mean nothing as well.
Jesus reminded us:
Mark 10:31
King James Version
31 But many that are first shall be last;
and the last first.
Our only hope is in Jesus.
Colossians 3:1-2
King James Version
3 If ye then be risen with Christ,
seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth.
Let the Holy Spirit of God teach you everything about the Lord, and everything you do will be right, in the eyes of God.
You just have to make a stand who you serve.
Your life and future will hinge upon that.
Related material:
Updated 14 October 2022
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