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AMOS 5:6-15 

HEBREWS 4:12-16 

MARK 10:17-31 

Wealth and the Kingdom of God is the theme for our Sunday reflection. Wealth is an abundance of valuable possessions or money. The Kingdom of God is God’s reign in the world and the final promised destination for faithful believers who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour and continue to do the will of God. It is for this reason Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 that “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. The focus of today’s reflection is how to be wealthy and still do God’s will to enter the kingdom of God. We shall consider the following points for our reflection: 

Firstly, to enter the Kingdom of God we must accept God’s reign over our lives and be mindful of His will even as we create wealth. Wealth is good and it is one of God’s blessings, however, wealth must be made in a godly manner. God is not pleased with us when we make wealth to the detriment of the poor and vulnerable. In other words, we incur God’s wrath and judgment when we take advantage of the poor and vulnerable in our societies. It for this reason God warned the Israelites through the voice of Prophet Amos that “You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine. For I know how many are your offences and how great your sins. Some oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts (Amos 5:11-12). This is a warning to all who are in the place of power and occupy political, legislative and judicial offices or positions. We should be mindful of laws and policies that adversely affect the poor in our country but rather create wealth and comfort for the rich. In other words, the political leaders and the affluent in our societies should not create wealth out of the predicaments of the less privileged. In situations where it is obvious that unjust laws and policies lead to injustice and unjust wealth creation, those who have been given the mandate of adjudication (magistrates and judges) should seek justice for the vulnerable and the poor. They are not to take bribes but do the will of God. I find it necessary to repeat Matthew 7:21 for emphasis that “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Christians must lead by example by creating wealth with integrity and godliness. We must protect the poor and vulnerable in our societies by protesting, condemning and speaking against burdensome taxes and policies that impoverish the poor and vulnerable population in our country for “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16) 

Secondly, as we create wealth let us be guided by the Word of God and the fact that God sees and knows everything we do on this earth for Hebrews 4:12-16 admonishes us that ”For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13) Anytime we are tempted to make unjust gains and wealth through corruption and bribery, let us remember that God is watching every move we make and every thought or motive running through our minds and hearts. Paul further warns us in his epistle to the Galatians that Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, (Galatians 6:7-10) 

Thirdly, wealth acquisition and being wealthy should not distract us from our salvation and commitment to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, for no one can enter the Kingdom of God except through Him (John 3:16). It is for this reason Jesus said  “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:25-27).  My dear friend, wealth can easily make you lose focus. When you become wealthy there is the temptation to feel you are self-sufficient and self-reliant just like the man in Luke 12:18-21 who said after a bountiful harvest that “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.  And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” It takes a life of faith and total commitment to Jesus to realise that earthly wealth cannot save us or grant us salvation. It is only through Jesus we are able to enter into the Kingdom of God. Paul admonishes us in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 that “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” Jesus encourages and promises His faithful believers including His rich and wealthy followers who have decided to follow Him regardless of their social class that “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:29-31) 

In conclusion, beloved in the Lord, wealth must be created according to the will of God with integrity and in a just manner even as we seek to please Him and enter His Kingdom, we must be guided by the Word of God and acknowledge His omniscience in our dealings with other people even as we create wealth, and last but not the least, wealth must not distract us from our salvation in Christ for we can only enter the Kingdom of God through faith and commitment to Jesus Christ and doing the will of God. May His peace and grace continue to rest and abide with us. 

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)