Mark 10: 23-27 "And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 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. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” And Jesus looking upon them saith, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
1 Timothy 6:9-10 “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil.”
Jesus had just finished His conversation with the rich young ruler who walked away because of his love for his riches. Jesus, looking at his disciples, said an astonishing thing to them. “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!' This completely confused his disciples since, being Jews, they thought wealth meant that God was blessing them. Jesus then explained that it is not "being rich" that is the problem, but, rather, trusting in those riches.
In Luke 15:16- 21, Jesus gives His disciples the parable of the rich farmer. “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?' And he said, 'This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.' But God said unto him, 'Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.'"
Again we are told that it is the love of money that is the sin, not merely having money. Where is your treasure? The Apostle Paul adds to our understanding when he explains in 1 Timothy 6:9-10 that "They that will be rich" are those that wish to be rich--not merely are "willing to be rich," but are resolved or earnestly longing to have riches no matter the cost. Proverbs 28:20,22 tells us that this attitude or wish to be rich creates a fatal commitment or resolve to be rich that becomes the problem. Rich men are not told to cast away their riches, but are told not to "trust" in them, and to "do good" with them (1Ti 6:17, 18; Ps 62:10). “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21.
"They that would be rich" are not merely exposed to temptation, but actually fall into it. They fall into the very thing we are told to pray against-- "Lead us not into temptation."
Where is your treasure?
