In Scripture, Jesus is asked twice by two different people how to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The first time, He says to Nicodemus “In order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven you must be born again, baptised in water and the Spirit” Most of the time, we take this one seriously and gladly celebrate baptisms.
The second time, Jesus is asked by an unnamed rich man and his response is this: “In order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven you must sell everything you own and give to the poor.“
We tend to ignore this one because it is difficult. It means we must become uncomfortable. But what if He WASN’T KIDDING? What if Jesus ACTUALLY meant for us to sell everything we have and give to the poor, and if we don’t, we don’t go to Heaven? I know many people who are reading this are currently thinking that Jesus wasn’t talking to us. That was in biblical times! Not now! Well, let me ask you… how much of the bible, then, is only meant for the people in biblical times? Do you honestly think that the word is not alive, just as Jesus is? Are the words on those pages not from Jesus’ (living!) lips?? How, then, can you say that Jesus did not mean those words for us? ESPECIALLY when we are the richest people in the world?
Did you know that 53% of the world’s population lives on $2.00 a day or less? If you, like every North American, have more, you are RICH!
“Again I tell you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
I don’t know about you, but when I meet Jesus face to face, I want Him to say “Well done my daughter. You have done what I have asked.” Do you think Jesus would not be serious about his children who are starving? His children who die every day because of PREVENTABLE DISEASES such as malaria? Or even from something as simple as diarrhea? Do you honestly think He doesn’t want us to care for them??
It is so easy for us to ask God why there is so much poverty, so much hurt, so much inequality and unfairness in the world.
But I can bet that He would ask us the very same thing.
