Reward of Grace
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through His poverty might be rich.”
2 Corinthians 8:9
. The young man
had only to follow where Christ led the way.
Christ looked upon the young man and longed after his soul. He
longed to send him forth as a messenger of blessing to men. In the
place of that which He called upon him to surrender, Christ offered
him the privilege of companionship with Himself. “Follow Me,” He
said. This privilege had been counted a joy by Peter, James, and John.
The young man himself looked upon Christ with admiration. His
heart was drawn toward the Saviour. But he was not ready to accept
the Saviour’s principle of self-sacrifice. He chose his riches before
Jesus. He wanted eternal life, but would not receive into the soul that
unselfish love which alone is life, and with a sorrowful heart he turned
away from Christ.
As the young man turned away, Jesus said to His disciples, “How
hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God.”
These words astonished the disciples. They had been taught to look
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upon the rich as the favorites of heaven; worldly power and riches
they themselves hoped to receive in the Messiah’s kingdom; if the rich
were to fail of entering the kingdom, what hope could there be for the
rest of men?
“Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard
is it for them that trust in riches to enter into 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 into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out
of measure.” Now they realized that they themselves were included
in the solemn warning. In the light of the Saviour’s words, their own
secret longing for power and riches was revealed. With misgivings for
themselves they exclaimed, “Who then can be saved?”
“Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not
with God; for with God all things are possible.”
A rich man, as such, cannot enter heaven. His wealth gives him
no title to the inheritance of the saints in light. It is only through the
unmerited grace of Christ that any man can find entrance into the city
of God.
To the rich no less than to the poor are the words of the Holy
Spirit spoken, “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price.”
1
Corinthians 6:19, 20
. When men believe this, their possessions will
be held as a trust, to be used as God shall direct, for the saving of the