The Danger of Wealth
(Morning Service)
Text: Luke 18:18-27
Greed is an old forgotten word we reserve for bankers who own yachts, corrupt politicians, or footballer millionaires. Today in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus encounters someone we’d all struggle to label “greedy,” who asks a simple question: “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” - a humble and honest question any of us would love to be asked. This morning we are going to hear Jesus’ unexpected response to this young man.
“And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
(Luke 18:18–27 ESV)”