Read Luke 18:18–30
‘Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”’ (v24)
Luke chapter 18 reveals an encounter between Jesus and a wealthy young man.
Like many biblical stories, various emphases have been placed on this interaction, ranging from the barrier of wealth to spiritual matters, through to consideration and care for the poor.
Whilst the disciples in our text today are focused on the riches of the young man (v26), Jesus focuses their attention on cost
Whilst each of these extremes is not wrong per se, it can be easy for us to miss the gospel writer’s increasing emphasis on the cost of following Jesus.
Each gospel has an intentional flow of stories and accounts that are designed to challenge our priorities and encourage us to a new kingdom focus.
A cost focused mind focuses on serving, sacrifice, giving.
Whilst the disciples in our text today are focused on the riches of the young man (v26), Jesus focuses their attention on cost (v29).
A mind focused on riches, uses language of acquisition, receiving, even personal blessing. A cost focused mind focuses on serving, sacrifice, giving.
God’s people are called to demonstrate a better way, a kingdom way, that seeks God’s kingdom first
Life can be tough, with many and varied challenges, so it can be natural to focus our attention and prayers on our needs and circumstances.
Yet, increasingly, in a broken world, God’s people are called to demonstrate a better way, a kingdom way, that seeks God’s kingdom first (Matt. 6:33).
Jesus never shied away from spelling out the cost of following Him (Mark 8:34–38) – neither should we.
A PRAYER TO MAKE:
‘Lord God, help me to be willing to count the cost of following You. Amen.’
AN ACTION TO TAKE:
In what sense do we focus on the riches of receiving and blessing, yet ignore the cost of God’s call on our lives?
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER:
Prov. 4:1-9; Matt. 6:25-34; Luke 14;25-35; 1 Cor. 3:1-23
Photo by Francesco Califano on Unsplash
