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Today's Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30

Blogger Jennifer Fulwiler made an interesting comment in a recent television interview. When she was and atheist, (thus a materialist) her very belief system was a cause of her unhappiness.  “When your focus is on the material” she said, “There is always else you want. It is impossible to be satisfied.”  It was only when she came to believe in God, that she felt complete. She no longer depended on having the “right” job, the “right” car or enough money feel fulfilled.

Was Jesus hinting at as much in today’s Gospel when he said, “It will be hard for one who is rich to enter to the Kingdom of heaven.” Is he really saying that you won’t get to heaven if you are rich? When one of the apostles laters asks, “Who then can be saved?”, remember his reply, “For men this is impossible”

He reminds us that, although how we conduct our lives is important, It is Christ we must turn to for salvation. Perhaps the biggest danger in being rich, is that wealth continually draws our attention back to the world and away from Christ.

Ponder:

This passage ends with the famous and mysterious quote, “Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Can you think of ways that putting yourself last puts God first?

Pray:

God, let me ever be grateful for all I am given. Let me look to you for all that I need. 

Copyright 2014 Kirk Whitney