Scripture Post #543: *COST OF BEING RICH*

Luke 18:24: "And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"

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The *COST OF BEING RICH* is that it'll be hard to enter heaven. JESUS was talking to a 'certain ruler' when HE spoke the words in this Scripture Post. HE told this ruler to sell all that he had, and to distribute it to the poor (V. 22). You cannot serve GOD and mammon (money/riches). You cannot serve two masters. You must choose. JESUS' command for this ruler to sell all he had, challenged who his master truly was. GOD. Or money/riches. 

Luke 6:13: "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

Notice that JESUS didn't say that it was impossible to be rich and go to Heaven. HE said "how hardly". Meaning that it's hard or difficult to be rich and go to Heaven. When faced with the choice between riches and JESUS, the decision may be harder than presumed for most. 

Full Context:

Luke 18:18: "And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

V. 19: "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God."

V. 20: "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother."

V. 21: "And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up."

V. 22: "Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me."

V. 23: "And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich."

V. 24: "And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"

V. 25: "For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

V. 26: "And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?"

V. 27: "And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

V. 28: "Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee."

V. 29: "And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,"

V. 30: "Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."

Originally Published: Sun. 3/9/14