Wealthy Pastors Flying Private Jets Will Find It Difficult Making Heaven
Matthew 19:23-24
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, 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.”
Why did Jesus say this? Let’s look at the preceding verses?
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, 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.”
This rich young man was a child of God faithfully keeping his commandments just like many Christians and Pastors today and he was so confident of his stance in God and asked Jesus what he could do to get eternal life!
When Jesus told him to sell ALL his properties and GIVE TO THE POOR and then follow him, he walked away Sad!
As a pastor or Christian flying private jets, driving expensive cars and living a life of luxury, Jesus is saying, Sell All and give to the poor and follow him! Jesus said to attain perfection and build treasure in heaven u must do this!
This appears difficult and unfair to rich Christians? The disciples thought so as well. Let’s see their reaction in the verses that followed:
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Jesus explained that it may look difficult naturally but with God’s help it is possible!
We can invariably conclude from the teachings of Christ here that if you are a pastor living a life of luxury, flying jets and helicopters and some of your members are poor , heaven will be difficult to make for you! These are words directly from the mouth of Jesus who will decide whether we make heaven! His words are superior to any prophet, king , preacher or apostle in the Bible or in contemporary times!