Poor People: Rich People

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.

Mark 10:25 (NIV)

God nudged me to write daily devotions in 2008. I was 53, a 2-year convert, an unchurched newbie. How was I qualified? What was His plan?

Looking back, here’s my take on how and why:

My conversion became an immersion. I lived alone on top of a mountain. My mind was fresh. I hadn’t learned from men. God’s Word and His Spirit were my Teachers.

Even more, Christians scorned Entertainment as a dirty place NEVER to enter. Churches preached, “Stay away. Satan owns it!” They didn’t see it as a mission field, but it had been the field of my employ!

Fast forward: God has opened hearts and minds to Media’s urgent necessity of good examples for millions of fans.

Because of my unusual background, my devotions aren’t typical either… including the ones about rich people. Why don’t pastors preach about wealth’s dangers? Maybe they fear the loss of their support? If they’re generous, what’s wrong with their wealth? Possibly nothing! God will judge us all.

So let's go in and dig a bit deeper. God doesn’t say it's a sin to be rich. More than a few Bible heroes WERE rich! In the Old Testament, consider the patriarchs… plus David and Solomon. In the New, consider Nicodemus. Also, Joseph of Arimathea.

But God DOES say wealth is a temptation and enticement few people can resist. We must not love it, trust it, or hoard it. With it, we must remain willing to share, and we must NOT take unfair advantage.*

Jesus exampled a new kind of wealth:

  • A wealth of Spirit, purpose, and mercy.

  • A wealth of love, freedom, and fellowship.

  • A wealth stored in a heavenly account.

  • A wealth that grows BIGGER the more we give.

  • A wealth found in sacrifice– NOT possession.

  • A wealth many Americans don't know.

So if this devotion offends anyone, please forgive my unintentional sin. I've been wealthy as the world defines it, and I've been poor in many other ways.

As I’ve aged, I’ve lightened my load greatly, and intend to continue my “diet”.

The camel through the eye of a needle is a wager I'm unwilling to take.

Poor People: Rich People (Part 28)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

* What Does the Bible Say About Money? http://www.openbible.info/topics/wealth

Carey Arban