Title: THE RICH MAN’S PLIGHT

Focus: Jesus’ response to the rich man’s plight shows that our hope for true, eternal life lies with the Word of God as centered in Christ, who makes it possible for us to inherit life and receive treasures in heaven at the renewal of all things.

Function: To encourage the people to follow Jesus in our daily living by using our resources without becoming attached to them and to think and live in terms of eternal treasures in heaven.

Text: Matthew 19:16-30

            If we are to take to heart Jesus’ response to the rich man in this story, we must acknowledge to ourselves that we are rich people. I’m not interested right now in defining the term “rich,” because there will be no agreement among us.  Rather, I’m interested in all of us hearing and applying Jesus’ teaching to our own situation today. We are rich—that’s the assumption I will make.

            This morning we talked about the widow’s mite; tonight we focus on the rich man’s plight. What are some of our problems as we receive income, produce profits, and manage our possessions? I will identify a few for all of us: There is the feeling of guilt—periodically that feeling comes to the foreground when we are confronted with the poverty of others. Feeling guilty for owning a house, while there are millions of people living in huts, for example. Or feeling guilty and finding it hard to enjoy a newly purchased car or boat. Or worrying and wondering whether going on that 30^th anniversary cruise trip was really the right thing to do.

            Sometimes, the feeling of guilt is aggravated by feelings of frustration—frustration that comes with not being able to do more with our own resources. For example, you tithe regularly and give to the church. When you notice that the church is not making its budget and appeals to the members for making up the difference, it’s a lousy feeling not being able to give more—even though you would love to. That, too, can be the plight of a rich person.

            I know of one businessman who years ago expressed in confidence his feelings of guilt and frustration in not being able to be generous to more needy causes than he has already adopted. Every week he would get calls from people and organizations that appeal to him for generous donations, because he was known as a successful businessman.  “The needs are so great,” he sighed, “but I too must face the reality of limited resources.”

            Today we note Jesus’ encounter with the rich man. And Jesus’ response to the rich man’s plight shows that our hope for true, eternal life lies with the Word of God as centered in Christ. In fact, it is Jesus who makes it possible for us to inherit life and receive treasures in heaven at the renewal of all things.

            As we explore Jesus’ encounter with the rich man, let me encourage all of us to follow Jesus in our daily living by using our resources without becoming attached to them and to think and live in terms of eternal treasures in heaven.

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Let me make some observations about the story.

First of all, the spotlight in the story moves from an encounter between Jesus and the rich man, to an encounter between Jesus and his disciples, to an encounter between Peter and Jesus. And each encounter confronts us with some questions (and answers) that weave the entire story together.

For example, the rich man asks three questions: “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Then, reflecting upon God’s commandments in his Word, the rich man asks: “Which one?” And after claiming that he has kept all the “love your neighbor” commandments, the young man asks: “What do I still lack?”

In their encounter with Jesus, we notice that the disciples also have a question. When Jesus tells them that it is easier for a camel to go through the needle of an eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, they exclaim: “Who then can be saved?”

            And when Peter then ponders Jesus’ answer to the rich man about having treasures in heaven and following Jesus, Peter asks: “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” You see? As we follow the spotlight from one encounter to the next, we notice that each encounter comes with some questions (and answers) that weave this story together. We do well to pay close attention to the questions.

            Secondly, we notice that Jesus “failed” to satisfy or settle the unease and restlessness of the rich young man. Once the young man figured out what Jesus was asking him to do, “he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Jesus diagnosed the man’s problem and he prescribed the “medicine,” but the patient failed to make use of the medicine; he was not cured from his anxiety or restlessness. The medicine was too bitter for him, or perhaps I should say, the man’s affliction was too powerful. In any case, here we have a rare instance where Jesus “failed” to cure someone.

            Now let’s focus on Jesus’ encounter with the man. This man had a lot going for him. For example, he is rich; he is young; he is prominent or widely known in his community. (Luke refers to him as a ruler; presumably someone who runs a synagogue [Lk. 18:18]). This young man is also keen and eager to learn; his questions are to the point and aimed directly at Jesus.

He also appears to be a man of integrity and honesty; a righteous man, for he knows the commandments and he claims to adhere to the Word of God. He is also respectful and reverent toward Jesus. He kneels before Christ and he calls him “Teacher.” No wonder that Jesus “loves him” (as Mark tells us). This young man has a lot going for him.

But he has a problem; he is anxious, restless. From a worldly point of view, he has it all. Yet, something is missing in his life. By the standards of the world, he’s living the “American dream.” Yet, he is restless. Why?

He is in bondage. He is in the powerful grip of wealth. That is to say, he can’t exercise stewardship or dominion over his wealth; his possessions possess or master him. He can’t walk away from his riches, for somehow his riches hold him into a way of life that hinders him in serving and following Jesus. The rich man is in the service of his possessions. His wealth has become his master.

The rich young man asks Jesus, “What is still lacking?”  And Jesus responds, saying in essence, “Freedom! Freedom is lacking.” Listen: “If you want to be perfect,” (or inherit eternal life, or enter life, or enter the kingdom of God, or be saved or have treasure in heaven—these are all terms that show up in this story), “go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

The diagnosis or plight of the rich man is bondage to wealth; Jesus’ medicine is radical but aims at setting the man free from his bondage to possessions: go, sell, give to the poor, and follow me. And you’ll store up treasure in heaven. The rich man, however, wants treasure now—here on earth. That’s what causes his restlessness. And he goes away, sad.

Jesus uses this encounter as a teachable moment for his disciples and for you and me as well. He says: “…it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” In fact, Jesus says that it is impossible for the rich to do so in their own strength. That’s why Jesus says: “…it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

The disciples pick up on Jesus’ statement, and they realize the desperate plight of the rich. More than that! Not even the poor (as the disciples think of themselves) have any chance to enter the kingdom of God. For surely, if camels can’t worm themselves through the eye of a needle, then salvation is not possible for anyone—rich or poor, young or old alike.

Jesus responds, and says in essence: “You’ve got that right!” In fact, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Here Jesus affirms the Bible’s teaching that salvation is the work of God—from beginning to end. I cannot save myself. I cannot worm myself through the eye of a needle, into the kingdom of God by my attempts to keep God’s law, or by my attempts to live a good, moral life.

It’s only by God’s grace and divine initiative that the rich and the poor, the young and the old, are made alive in Christ and enter the kingdom of God. Jesus’ response to the rich man’s plight shows that our hope for true, eternal life lies with the Word of God as centered in Christ. He is the One who makes it possible for us to inherit life and receive treasure in heaven at the renewal of all things.

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As we let this story of Jesus’ encounter with the rich man’s plight sink deep down into our hearts and minds, I want us to mine some nuggets of gold for daily living. What applications and spiritual insights are there for us today? I’ll mention a few:

#1. Eternal life, true life, living the life that pertains to the rule of God—is something that we can live today. Not in its fullness, mind you. Not in its sublime glory. For that will come “at the renewal of all things,” when Christ comes again in full glory and when his people shall live with resurrected, glorified bodies on the restored creation. But Jesus points us to true life, when he says to the rich young man: Turn to God’s Word and keep the commandments, summarized in terms of loving God and loving your neighbor.

            There is life and wholeness and joy in living a life of obedience to God’s Word. This is why we read in Psalm 119:1,2 “Blessed are they whose ways  are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.” And this is why we take these words of Psalm 19:7ff on our lips: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” In other words, abiding in God’s Word leads us to experience life that has its origin with the God of life.

            Eternal life, however, is embodied and found in the Lord Jesus. Thus by centering our lives on him, by following his precepts, by resting in his work on the cross and in the tomb and on the throne in heaven today, we have eternal life already. It will come to its fullness when he comes again as Judge over all at the end of time.

            Putting our trust in Jesus, living out of God’s Word leads to life—true life. Living such a life, however, also leads us to eternal investments. And that leads me to my second application.

#2. Living out of God’s Word and following Jesus as Lord leads to treasure or rewards in heaven.  Jesus shows that there is a real connection and continuity between the life we live today on earth and the life we shall inherit on the restored new heaven and earth. Although  the renewal of all things is in the future, and the inheritance of full, eternal life has as yet to take place, nevertheless, it is possible already today to invest into that eternal future by laying up treasure for ourselves.

            For his immediate disciples, Jesus points to that treasure in terms of ruling authority, saying: “…at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Poverty and hardship may the lot of Jesus’ disciples now; but on the restored creation they shall govern the people of God. That’s the treasure that awaits them.

            So it is for all God’s people who follow his Son, the Lord Jesus. Listen: “…everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” By following Jesus and by living out of God’s Word, we invest and lay up treasure for ourselves in heaven. By living selfless lives—in service of the living God—we discover that God rewards us with incredible rewards.

            Ponder these truths. Consider the rich man’s plight; then take hold of Jesus’ words and medicine: Follow me! “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

            Follow Jesus. For he is our richest gain! And he will lead us into the fullness of eternal life!

Glory be to him! Now and forever! Amen.