This is the 14th post as I attempt to visit everything (pretty much!) Jesus said about money in the gospels over 2 weeks. In order to do this I will be putting up around two posts each day. This is coinciding with a 2-week preaching series that we are going through at Community Church Putney- Jesus On Money.
'Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you,
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. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or
father or mother or wife[e] or children or fields for my sake will receive a
hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first
will be last, and many who are last will be first."' (Matthew 19:28-30)
Mark adds
‘…will fail to receive a hundred times
as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children
and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.' (Mark
10:30)
Present prosperity
Is Jesus a ‘prosperity teacher’? Why do so many Christians around the
world live in poverty if Jesus promises ‘a hundred times as much in this present age’? Are most of
us missing a spiritual trick?
If you look closely Jesus is not promising Christians super-abundant
financial wealth; rather he is promising the wealth of a community
of love, and challenging us to be such a community.
He is promising what John would later write about,
‘If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need
but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear
children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.’ (1 John 3:17)
He is promising that Christians will suffer
persecutions, which will cause them to leave family, friends and
property. Jesus is assuring such suffering Christians that they will find love
and support in this life, but with the promise of tremendous eternal reward.
Future rewards
Jesus uses future rewards in order to motivate and encourage us in
our discipleship and generosity/giving things up for the Kingdom
in particular.
Many people have been inspired by this
truth, let these quotes inspire you,
'There are only two days on my calendar, this day and that day'
(Luther)
'I am resolved to do nothing that I would be ashamed of if it were the last day.'
(J. Edwards)
'It is the business of everyday to prepare us for that day.'
(M. Henry)
“I value all things only by the price they shall gain in eternity.”
(John Wesley)
Take a moment to ask God to search you:
are you prepared to help your brothers and sisters who are in need? Are you
living for eternity in how you live and use your wealth?
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