Riches vs. Eternal Life

[Luk 18:18-30 NIV] 18 A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'" 21 "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." 26 Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?" 27 Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God." 28 Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!" 29 "Truly I tell you," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life."

Keywords: Eternal Life, Commandments, Heaven, Camel, Needle, City Entry

Eternal Life is life at its best. It is an infinite abiding fellowship with God. It is life imparted by God, a renewal of life, fully opened to God, overcoming evil, and removal of mortal sin. [1]

Ten Commandments is best defined as ten words. It is an Apodictic Law found in the second person dealing with general principles. They are established to protect the rights of others. [2]

Heaven is part of God’s creation. It is God’s storehouse to send blessings and punishments. It is also a channel of communication between God and humans. [3]

Camel is a humpbacked mammal of Asia and Africa. It was domesticated as far back as 2000 B.C. A young healthy camel can travel one hundred miles a day. The hump is stored fat that enables them to travel long distances. [4]

Needles are used for sewing. Over the years they have been made of bone, ivory, and bronze. [5]

A city gate is a place of defensive structure as well as an entryway. It would be the most vulnerable location for the city to be protected. It was normally located at the low point of the city. The low point would allow easier access for merchants and travelers. [6]

Luke 16:16-31 is also about the trouble of riches. In this passage we have a young rich man asking a question of how to obtain a life with God. His riches stand between him and eternal life. As for us, it is essential to remain in the Bible. The Bible holds the truth, light, and life. Money is a tool to be used to increase the kingdom of God. Everything belongs to God. The manner that it is used will glorify God.

God loves us. He created us for fellowship with Him. Do not attempt to push a camel through the eye of a needle. These things are temporary. Use them for the glory of God and find real treasure in Heaven.

Bibliography

Block, Daniel I. “Ten Commandments,” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1547. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Butler, Trent C. and Gary Hardin. “Heaven.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 721-722. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Drinkard, Jr., Joel F. and Jared Chatfield. “City Gate.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 302-303. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Hatfield. Lawson G. “Camel.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 255. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 199-265. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

Mickelsen, Berkley and Chad Brand. “Eternal Life.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 512. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Needle.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1151. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

[1] A. Berkely Mickelsen and Chad Brand, “Eternal Life,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 512-513. [2] Daniel I. Block, “Ten Commandments,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1547-1548. [3] Trent C. Butler and Gary Hardin, “Heaven,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 721-722. [4] Lawson G. Hatfield, “Camel,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 255. [5] “Needles,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1151. [6] Joel F. Drinkard, Jr. and Jared Chatfield, “City Gate,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 302-303.