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, honour 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.” Luke 18:18-27 (NIV)

23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy 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.” Luke 18:18-27 (NIV)

Let’s pray…

Is wealth an obstacle to eternal life? Luke 18:15-17 “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” The rich ruler’s question

I. The rich ruler’s question He had a bad attitude ‘He is more concerned with where he stands than in knowing God’s grace’ Bock, D. 1996, p467 The rich ruler’s question Am I good enough to qualify for eternal life?

“If you want eternal life keep the commandments” “Good teacher,… “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. Jesus’ first answer is The rich ruler’s question “If you want eternal life keep the commandments”

16 “Honour your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 17 “You shall not murder. 18 “You shall not commit adultery. 19 “You shall not steal. 20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour. 21 “You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife. Deuteronomy 5:16-20 (NIV)

There is a problem when we do something to earn salvation, relying on the law alone to get eternal life ‘clouds the issue of faith’ MacArthur, J., 1988, p90 It clouds FAITH 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.” Luke 18:22 (NIV)

Jesus is dealing with a particular case “We will not attain salvation by emptying our banks accounts and giving our money to the poor”. Bock, D. 1996, p469 FAITH is required to attain eternal life…

II. Obstacles for eternal life First obstacle is when we want to be Good… We could be good but not saved, salvation in Jesus’ teaching implies the call to service versus power. McKnight, S & Osborne, G., 2004, p360 Second, Salvation is not a simple ‘emotional lift’ This man realized he needed something but he was simply looking for something that could fill his empty heart.

III. Every obstacle could be beat by faith In this passage there is a warning against affection to possessions Positive uses of money or possessions. After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8:1-3 (NIV)

FAITH III. Every obstacle could be beat by faith Those willing to be saved and to enter into his Kingdom are asked to ‘leave all for Jesus’. McKnight, S & Osborne, G., 2004, p368 Family, wealth and possessions are to be left in the hands of God. FAITH

For the disciples it appears an impossible task to enter into the Kingdom of God. Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 (NIV) Eternal life is a gift from God, which will not be available for those ‘whose hands are filled with other things’. MacArthur, J., 1988, p95

Faith cannot operate when God is not having the first place Faith cannot operate when God is not having the first place. Not only wealth could be and obstacle for eternal life but also pride, selfishness, greed, our families, our job, anything that could come before God. “I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week. I believe it is every man’s religious duty to get all he can honestly and to give all he can. Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” – John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (1874-1960)

Is wealth an obstacle to eternal life? “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” “Jesus will not give salvation and eternal life to those who are not willing to turn from sin, possessions, wealth, false religion, or selfishness”