Bible Question: whether to Realize God I have to leave all my possesions and be in poverty. Whether money and material success is bad |
Bible Answer: Hello Rajeeb, This question often arises out of a false teaching, about the meaning of the parable in Matt 13:44. It starts with Jesus saying, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." There are many who teach that it is "us" who need to sell all we have in gained in this life in order to have confidence about our entrance into the next, eternal life. There is a major problem with this interpretation. That is, the Kingdom of Heaven is not for sale. It is number One, a gift. And number Two, there is nothing that we can offer God that He has not given to us first. So you see, God does not need our posessions. He owns it all already. So, who is it in the parable that gave it all to buy the field? It is God, who gave His only Son. And what is the pearl being symbolized here? It is You, Rajeeb, and it is the church. There is another parable that is along the same line, in Luke 18:18. This is where ... a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus knew this man's heart. Being a ruler, he had much worldly possession. So when the ruler told Jesus, "All these (commandments) have I kept from my youth" Then Jesus simply said, "Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me." Well, all the ruler did was walk away sad. If he would have listened to the last part of Jesus' instruction, "Come follow me" -then he would have had a chance. But Jesus went on to say this is why it is hard for a rich man to enter into heaven. So His disciples asked Him, who can even be saved? And Jesus said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." This goes back again to the saying that you cannot serve both God and mammon. Mammon is being understood as wealth and possessions. Now, no one actually serves their wealth. They do not actually love money, but they do love what the money is able to 'do' for them. So, who are they trying to benefit? they are not doing anything at all for the love of money, but it is the love of themselves that keeps them chasing after money. Do you see now? No one can serve two masters. It must be God, or self. It can not be both, or you will love one more than the other. And to love self, you place God in second place by default. There are many people out there who have more money than I, Yet they also have a closer walk with Jesus than I as well. I hope this information helps you to become one of them. May He richly bless you, keliy |