Читать книгу God Money And The Blessed Poor - André Cronje - Страница 9

Whenever Jesus taught he always provoked men to ask important questions. And so it happened that a rich young ruler came running up to Jesus, kneeling down he asked: Good Master what must I do to get eternal life. Jesus responded, why do you call me good? There is none good but one, God. Do you know the commandments? Don't commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, defraud not, honor your father and mother. And he answered: Master, all these have I observed from my youth. And Jesus beholding him loved him. Then he said to him, there's one thing you lack. Go your way and sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come back to take up your cross and follow me. But when the rich young man heard this, he became sad at that saying and went away depressed for he had great possessions. Then Jesus remarked, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter God's kingdom.

Did you notice that Jesus loved this young man? Jesus also saw his potential value was hidden underneath his velvet status and fortress wealth. He probably came from an aristocratic family who gave him a proper education but also taught him to keep the commandments of God, which he did. He was influential, smart with a firm religious belief. But one thing was missing that would have made him perfect. Only a true master, teacher could dare to speak such a truth that would cut to the heart of his students and followers. But when he heard the answer his weakness was exposed. He was strong in gather temporary wealth but weak in letting go of passing riches to acquire eternal life which he was short of. The price of salvation is so high that no man can afford it. That's why Christ who was rich became poor that you and I through his poverty could become rich. And so this rich young rich ruler walked away from the best deal any man could ever be offered. You see class, status, wealth nothing of this matter to him but the heart of a man whom he created.

For the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a certain piece of land. And when someone stumbles upon it, he hides it, and for the joy thereof, he goes and sells all that he has, just to acquire that property and the treasure thereof. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl collector who found a pearl of high value and decided it's worth selling everything else just to get that one.