Can rich people go to heaven?

Listened to a really good talk today about the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mark 10:17,19-31 (NIV)As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" [19] You know the commandments: `Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.' " [20] "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." [21] Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." [22] At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. [23] Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" [24] The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! [25] 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." [26] The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" [27] Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." [28] Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" [29] "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel [30] will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields---and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. [31] But many who are first will be last, and the last first." 

Spiritual transformation to inherit eternal life

Spiritual transformation is more than just a quick fix in our life.

What happens when the ropes tying us down in our lives are released?

Mark 10:17 (NIV)

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

What more profound question can anyone ask?

Jesus doesn't answer the question but asks one.

Mark 10:18 (NIV)

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good---except God alone.

The man has always lived a good life.

Mark 10:20 (NIV)

"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

What must he do?

Mark 10:21 (NIV)

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Jesus looked at him, gave him a hug and then says the next bit from a place of love.

Mark 10:21 (NIV)

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

If they have truly kept the commandments they would have shown generosity to the poor.

He had probably never lacked things so it was easy to obey the commandments outwardly. He had a great unseen need met in his riches which he would need to put aside.

Wealth is own temporary and will pass away but treasure in heaven will last for ever.

What if Jesus said that exactly to us today?

What would we think, say or do?

Mark 10:22 (NIV)

At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Mark 10:25 (NIV)

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 biggest animal at the time going though the smallest thing people could understand. This is a blunt message.

The central message is not if you are rich you can't get into heaven.

Do we all have to gives away everything to live in eternity with God?

We live more in His Kingdom when we see our things being from God.

Does our money, possessions tie us down and stop us growing?

Do you have enough stuff?

Do we hoard things that we don't need?

De-cluttering is a first step to take. if we get rid of the things we don't value we can the think about the things we value.

Do we travel light in life?

Do we live with the little we actually need?

Would we need such a big house if we had less? Consumerism only works because we are dissatisfied with life? If we don't strive for more stuff we will have more to give away.

Mark 10:22 (NIV)

At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Do we want to trade earthly wealth for heavenly wealth.

Mark 10:21 (NIV)

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

"Go, sell, give, then come, follow me."

How do we respond?

Link to song: I will offer up my life