What Jesus Did! 'The Danger of Riches' — Luke 18:24-25

Friday, October 27, 2023

When Jesus saw [that the rich man was sad when told he should surrender his wealth to help the poor, Jesus] said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"
— Luke 18:24-25 NLT

Key Thought

While material riches can be a great blessing and can be used to bless many in need and to do great things for the Kingdom, riches may also be a trap for us. The Gospel of Luke lets us hear Jesus teach repeatedly about the danger of riches. [1] Jesus' point here is that riches can be an incredible danger to the heart of believers. This rich man was the living example of this danger. As the apostle Paul warned, greed and a desire for riches can become idolatry and destroy us. [2] Let's make sure that every area of our lives, including our use of material things, is yielded to the lordship of Jesus.

[1] Luke 1:52-53, 6:20, 24, 38, 8:14, 12:15-21, 12:31-34, 16:13-15, 18:22-23.
[2] Colossians 3:5-6.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for your many material blessings. Help me use these blessings to your glory. I do not want anything to interfere with my total devotion to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 12:13-21
  • 1 Timothy 6:6-10
  • Colossians 3:5-6

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, October 27, 2023

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Florence Nightingale:
"I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Eagerly Waiting!' (Ga. 5:5)
"But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 John 2:17
"The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'My New Nature Made Alive' (Ep. 4:17-21)
"Dear Father, righteous and holy God, Help me never to be tempted to live as worldly people live: futile in their thinking - darkened in their..."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 18:24-25 NLT — "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!