A. Scriptures for this study: Mark 10:17-25
1. A man ran up to Jesus and fell on his knees before him to asked: What must I do to inherit eternal life?
2. Jesus said: Keep the commandments--> Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,
do not defraud, honor your father and mother.
3. He said: All these I have kept since I was a boy!
4. Jesus looked at him and love him. And said: One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
5. At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
6. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples: How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
7. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for rich man to enter the kingdom of God!
8. If you read on to Mark 10:27 you will know--> It takes God’s extra work for a rich man to be saved!
B. The prodigal son had to become very poor to come back to his father’s house! Luke chapter 15
1. The prodigal son took his share of his father’s wealth and departed from his father’s house!
2. He went far away and wasted all his wealth.
4. He came to his senses, he said to himself: How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and I am starving to death!
I will set out and go back to my father….
5. He swallowed his pride, admitted his wrong and be satisfied with being a servant in his father’s house!
C. We all know why this rich man and his 5 brothers had no such luck! Luke chapter 16:19-31.
1. The rich man died, buried and suffer in hades, he saw Lazarus in paradise with father Abraham!
2. He begged Abraham for help. This was Abraham’s reply: Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things,
while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot,
nor can anyone cross over from there to us.
3. Then he begged Abraham to help his five surviving brothers!
4. Abraham’s answer: They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them!
If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the death!
5. May it be forever clear to all! If people do not listen to what says in the Bible!
D. It is better to be rich in God rather than to be rich in the world! Luke 12:15-21
Jesus said: A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions! Luke 12:15
And he told them this parable: Luke 12:16-21
1. The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, `What shall I do?
I have no place to store my crops.' Luke 12:16-17
2. Then he said: This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." Luke 12:18-19'
3. But God said to him: You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:20-21
E. Here are two ways for Jesus’ believers to become rich in God!
1. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Fight the good fight of the faith.
Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Tim.6:11-12
2. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,
who gives us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim.6:17-19
Conclusion: Jesus said--> What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?
Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26
Now we know why not one in this church consider to have great wealth in this world!
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this on May 19, 2013.