Mark 10:24-27 (NKJV) And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
In reading this passage, we must remember that the twelve disciples weren’t poor before they were called to follow Jesus. Some of them, such as Simon Peter, James, Andrew, and John, were fishermen and business owners with boats and workers, while Matthew was a wealthy tax collector. Therefore, they were greatly astonished when they heard Jesus say it was difficult for the rich to be saved. They were concerned because they weren’t poor.
Camels were used to transport goods in Jesus’ days, and they were laden with goods on both sides. Therefore, a camel cannot pass through some passageways as narrow as the eye of a needle unless its owner unloads everything from it. Loading and unloading the goods would require significant effort. Likewise, the rich can’t be saved unless they are willing to lay down everything they hold dear to their lives, which often becomes like a god to them or something they trust in. This young Jewish ruler couldn’t let go of the burdens of riches, the power that comes with them, and his trust in mammon to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
In verse 27, Jesus assured the disciples that as long as the heart is right, all things are possible with God. God’s Word will ensure that we have the right heart and attitude towards money. We can choose to let go of our trust in money and our love of it. Our trust in mammon will diminish once we have a heart that worships God instead of mammon. Therefore, it is possible for the rich to be saved because we will receive a “new heart” once we are saved.
When we have a “new heart” that loves God, and are taught by the Word that He is the source of our lives and provisions, we will be good stewards of His blessings. We will not hoard money in our lives but be willing to do everything taught in the Bible about honouring God with our money through tithing and giving freewill offerings that include helping the poor and needy. The motive of giving is to honour God, look after the needs of His church and be a willing conduit to bless those in need.
Sermon Series: Money – The truth shall set you free!
卸下阻碍因素的必要性
马可福音10: 24-27 门徒希奇他的话。耶稣又对他们说：“小子，倚靠钱财的人进神的国是何等地难哪！ 骆驼穿过针的眼，比财主进神的国还容易呢！” 门徒就分外希奇，对他说：“这样谁能得救呢？” 耶稣看着他们说：“在人是不能，在神却不然，因为神凡事都能。
在阅读这段文字时，我们必须记住，这十二位门徒在被召跟随耶稣之前并不贫穷。他们中的一些人，如西门彼得、雅各、安德烈和约翰，是拥有自己渔船和工人的渔夫及生意人。而马太则是一位富有的税吏。 因此，当他们听见耶稣说富人得救是困难的时候，他们感到非常震惊，并且忧虑，因为他们并不贫穷。
在耶稣的时代，骆驼主要用于运输货物，通常两侧都装满了重载的货物。因此，骆驼无法穿过某些像针眼一样狭窄的通道，除非主人愿意卸下所有的货物。而卸载和重新装载货物都是一项繁重的工作。同样地，那些富有的人若不愿意放下他们所依赖、所珍视的财物——这些财物对他们而言就像是他们的“神”或他们所倚靠的对象——那么他们便无法得救。这位年轻的犹太官长之所以无法跟随耶稣，就是因为他无法放下这些财富、财富所带来的权力，和对玛门的依赖去全心全意地跟随主！
在27节，耶稣向门徒们保证：只要人的心对准神，在神凡事都能成就。神的话语能塑造我们，使我们的心对财富持有正确的态度。我们可以选择不再倚靠和爱恋金钱。一旦我们拥有了敬拜神而非金钱的心，我们对金钱的依赖就会减少。因此，富人得救是可能的，因为当我们得救时，神赐给我们一颗新的心！
当我们拥有一颗爱神的新心，并且被神的话语教导，知道祂才是我们生命和供应的源头时，我们就会成为祂祝福的良好管家。我们不会囤积金钱，而是愿意按照圣经的教导，尊荣神，忠心地奉献——包括十一奉献、甘心乐意的捐献，以及帮助贫穷和有需要的人。奉献的动机，是为了荣耀神、供应教会的需要，并成为神手中祝福他人的管道。
讲章系列： 金钱-真理必叫你得以自由！
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