October 15, 2025 • 30 mins
Ask anyone today how life is going and soon you’ll hear about money. It is a big part of life. No wonder the Bible says so much about it, Sometimes we can sympathize with Agur the son of Jakeh. He prayed, “Give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.”
A verse that has puzzled Bible readers for centuries is what Jesus said to the rich young ruler. We may not be as wealthy as he was, but we can learn a great deal about money and the distractions and temptations it can bring. This episode will use other passages in the Bible to illuminate this interesting discussion.
Read about this subject:
- Scriptures: Matthew 19:16-24; Deuteronomy 8:1-18; Luke 12:13-21
- "Here to Make Money"
Listen to more on this subject:
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
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Hi, I’m Kerry Duke, host of My Godand My Neighbor podcast from Tennessee
Bible College, where we see the Bibleas not just another book, but the Book.
Join us in a study of the inspiredWord to strengthen your faith and to
share what you've learned with others.
Jesus said, “It is easier for a camelto go through the eye of a needle, then
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for a rich man to enter the kingdom ofGod” [Matthew chapter nineteen verse 24].
Did Jesus mean that a richman cannot go to heaven?
Does the Bible teach thatbeing wealthy is a sin?
There's no doubt that money and thethings you can buy with it is one of the
greatest temptations Christians face.
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Jesus said “the deceitfulness of riches”causes some Christians to fall [Matt.
13:22]. Jesus said thatriches are deceptive.
Money will fool you.
You can think you're in control of itwhen it's actually in control of you.
You can tell yourself you'renot being selfish or greedy, but
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your actions may say otherwise.
You can feel like you're putting Godfirst, but you may not notice how many
times a day you think about money.
This was one of the first things Godtold the Israelites to remember when
they went into the land of Canaan.
In Deuteronomy chapter 8 we finda warning that is fitting for any
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generation of people anywhere.
Moses begins in this chapter by remindingthe people of Israel where they've
been and what they've been through.
In verse two he said, “And you shallremember that the Lord your God led
you all the way these forty years inthe wilderness, to humble you and test
you, to know what was in your heart,whether you would keep His commandments
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or not.” The 40 years of wanderingin the wilderness was punishment.
The Israelites didn't trust in God whenthey came to the border of the promised
land the first time, and God made themto live in the desert for 40 years.
Now it's 40 years later.
This is a new generation of Israelites.
And God shows them in this verse thattheir wandering in the desert for
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40 years was not just punishment.
It was a test.
It was a test to see if they wouldlisten to God and trust and obey Him.
Notice what he says in verse three.
“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger,and fed you with manna which you did
not know nor did your fathers know, thatHe might make you know that man shall
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not live by bread alone; but man livesby every word that proceeds from the
mouth of the Lord.” Did you notice whatMoses said God did with his own people?
He allowed them to go hungry sometimes.
Why?
To humble them.
God didn't let them starve to death.
But He did let them feel hungry.
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It's not always a bad thing for aman to go without food for a while.
As a matter of fact, that'swhat brought the prodigal son to
his senses in Luke chapter 15.
Moses said God fed the Israeliteswith manna from heaven.
They didn't grow manna likethey would grow their crops.
That special food came straightfrom God, straight from heaven.
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God did that to make the Israelitesrealize how dependent they were on Him.
But Moses said God fed them withmanna for another reason: to “make you
know that man shall not live by breadalone; but man lives by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”That's the verse Jesus quoted to the
devil when Satan tempted Him to useHis powers to turn stones into bread.
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Look at how God took careof them in verse four.
“Your garments did not wear out onyou, nor did your foot swell these
forty years.” Many of the Israelitesin the first generation that came
out of Egypt were upset with Moses.
They told Moses he had led theminto this wilderness to die.
They said we're going to starve to death,and our children are going to die with us.
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But that didn't happen.
God sometimes made them wait beforethey had food and water, but He
made sure that they were fed.
But verse four says that Godsupernaturally preserved their
clothes and even their feet.
Verse five tells us another very importantpart of how God deals with His people.
This applies today as much as it didthen thirty-five hundred years ago.
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“You should know in your heart thatas a man chastens his son, so the
Lord your God chastens you.” Goddisciplined the Israelites in the desert.
He did that in many ways.
Moses already mentioned one.
He said sometimes God letthem go hungry for a while.
That's divine chastening.
And the Bible teaches in Hebrewschapter 12 verses five through 11
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that God disciplines Christians today.
Christianity is not about Godgiving us everything we want.
God is not some kind of celestialSanta Claus as C. S. Lewis said
who's just sitting up in heaven toshower us with everything we want.
God does bless his people.
There's no doubt about that.
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This passage says that Godblessed the Israelite people.
But it also says that Godcorrected or chastened them.
Sometimes he made them feel pain.
So in verses one through five, Mosestold the Israelite people to remember
the hard times they have been through.
He told them not to forgetthat God took care of them.
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Moses understood human nature.
He knew that when people havehard times, they pray to God.
But when they have it good,they forget about God.
Moses isn't talking to thesepeople like this because of
anything he can get out of it.
Moses is not going into the promised land.
He's doing this for their benefit.
Once they get into the promisedland, these Israelites can have
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more than they ever imagined.
And that’s where they will be tempted.
In verses six through nine, Moses gavethem a glimpse of all the prosperity they
were about to enjoy in their new home.
“Therefore you shall keep thecommandments of the Lord your God,
to walk in His ways and to fear Him.
For the Lord your God is bringing youinto a good land, a land of brooks of
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water, of fountains and springs, thatflow out of valleys and hills; a land of
wheat and barley, of vines and fig treesand pomegranates, a land of olive oil
and honey; a land in which you will eatbread without scarcity, in which you will
lack nothing; a land whose stones areiron and out of whose hills you can dig
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copper.” Imagine all the opportunitiesthese people would have to make money!
Talk about a financial boom!
These people that had lived inthe desert are about to be rich!
And Moses, knowing human nature likehe did, and knowing these Israelites
like he did, knew that they might getso caught up enjoying their good life
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that they would forget about God.
That's why he warns thembeginning in verse 10.
“When you have eaten and are full, thenyou shall bless the Lord your God for
the good land which He has given you.
Beware that you do not forget theLord your God by not keeping His
commandments, His judgments, and Hisstatutes which I command you today,
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lest—when you have eaten and are full,and have built beautiful houses and
dwell in them; and when your herds andyour flocks multiply, and your silver
and your gold are multiplied, and allthat you have is multiplied; when your
heart is lifted up, and you forgetthe Lord your God who brought you out
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of the land of Egypt, from the houseof bondage.” Therein lies the danger.
God gives man a good life.
Then man becomes independentand proud and forgets about God.
This has been the story ofmankind down through the ages.
There are many enjoyablethings in this life.
There's nothing wrong with that.
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The Bible says in first Timothychapter 6, verse 17 that God gives
us richly all things to enjoy.
But that's not all that verse says.
Paul said, “Command those who are richin this present age not to be haughty,
nor to trust in uncertain riches but inthe living God, who gives us richly all
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things to enjoy.” The problem is notenjoying what God has given us. It’s
enjoying those things and forgettingabout the God who gave them to us!
We can excuse ourselves all we wantby saying that we get busy and that
we don't mean to be unthankful.
But if we fail to be thankful and weforget about God, that's our fault.
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It's a serious thing witha man forget about God.
It's a serious thing when men,women and children are ungrateful.
Deuteronomy chapter eight needsto be read to every person in
this country at least once a week!
Moses goes on to say that God is theOne “who led you through that great and
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terrible wilderness, in which were fieryserpents and scorpions and thirsty land
where there was no water; who broughtwater for you out of the flinty rock;
who fed you in the wilderness with manna,which your fathers did not know, that
He might humble you and that He mighttest you, to do you good in the end.”
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If you forget all that God did for youthose forty years, then you’re in danger.
He said in verse 17, “ Then you say inyour heart, 'My power and the might of
my hand have gained me this wealth.’”
That’s what happens.
A man works hard and makes a good living.
He's paid off his debts.
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He’s saved plenty of money.
He's got enough to leavesomething for his children.
He tells himself, “I worked hard. Ididn't throw money away. I used my
head and it paid off.” In his mind,he's the one that made it happen.
He made himself rich.
You know, the sad thing about this isthat many in our nation do even worse.
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They don't just say this to themselves.
They brag about it toanybody that will listen.
What happens to people like this?
Many times they forget about thehard times they've been through.
But whether they came up hard orhad the good fortune of being born
into wealth, they make the samemistake: they forget all about God.
Moses warned the Israelites and God iswarning us in verse 18: “And you shall
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remember the Lord your God, for it isHe who gives you power to get wealth,
that He may establish His covenant whichHe swore to your fathers, as it is this
day.” Did you notice what God gives?
Moses didn't say God gives wealth.
He said God is the one who gives youthe power or the ability to get wealth.
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How many people today even consider this?
A man who owns a business thinksthe only reason he's done well is
because he's a savvy businessman.
A doctor thinks the so reason he'smade a good living is because of
all the years he went to school.
A construction worker thinks he's earneda good paycheck because he's put his
back as well as his brain into his work.
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But none of these men could evenbreathe or move without God.
Acts chapter 17 verse 25 says, “Hegives to all life, breath, and all
things.” No billionaire could haveeven made his first dollar without
the strength to get up out of bed.
Where did that strength come from?
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God gives us the power to get wealth.
That means He gives us the abilityand the opportunity to acquire money.
How many people even consider this today?
How many people like this everthink that God can and will take
all that wealth away some day?
That will happen when we die.
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The richest man that ever lived—farricher than anyone today you’re thinking
about—Solomon—said, “As he came from hismother's womb, naked shall he return,
to go as he came; And he shall takenothing from his labor which he may
carry away in his hand” [Ecclesiastes5, verse 15]. Paul said, “For we
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brought nothing into this world, andit is certain we can carry nothing out”
[First Timothy chapter six verse 7].
How can a human being know that he'sgoing to die and leave every penny
he has behind, and yet spend all ofhis time thinking about how to make
more money and how to hold onto it?
It doesn't make sense does it?
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In fact, you would think a manlike this has lost his mind.
And that's really what has happened.
Not in a clinical, psychological sense.
But he's lost his moraland spiritual mind.
This is what Moses warned.
God people about in Deuteronomy chapter 8.
Money is deceptive.
That's the very thing Jesus saidin Matthew chapter 13 verse 22:
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even some Christians are fooledby the deceitfulness of riches.
In fact, some of the last wordsJesus says in the Bible are about
Christians who have become independentand prideful because of their money.
In Revelation, chapter 3 verses 14 through
22, Jesus talks to the church at Laodicea.
Laodicea was is a wealthy city.
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They had done well for themselves.
There was a congregationof God's people there.
But these wealthy Christianshad lost their zeal.
Jesus said they were lukewarmabout their Christianity.
He said, “So then, because you arelukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
vomit you out of My mouth.” Why would theLord use this kind of language? He tells
us in the next verse—verse 17 (13:54):
“Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy,
and have need of nothing.’” There was theproblem. These Christians did the very
thing Moses warned God’s people not to do.
They had money and they feltlike that was all they needed.
In their own words, they said, “We don’tneed anything.” They were like some today.
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They have enough money and then some.
They don’t think they needanything from anybody, and if
they do, they’ll pay for it.
People today talk about being “financiallyindependent.” What an illusion.
What a lie.
There is no such thing as a manbeing financially independent.
Even on a human level, every manneeds help from somebody or at least
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from circumstances he didn’t create.
But on the divine level, it isdisgusting to the God of heaven
for mankind, especially Christians,to get the big head over money.
That’s why Jesus told the Christiansat Laodicea they were making Him sick
to His stomach with their arrogance!
And, He straightened them out about theirreal condition—their condition on the
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inside, not the outside, their spiritualcondition, not their material state.
He said you “do not know thatyou are wretched, miserable,
poor, blind, and naked”!
They were rich with money,but they were poor in faith!
Money gives a false sense of security.
People today say money empowers them.
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It makes them feel likethey're in control.
But again, the Bible has beenwarning mankind for thousands
of years about this delusion.
There’s an interestingstory in Luke chapter 12.
The Bible says beginning in verse 13,“Then one from the crowd said to Him,
"Teacher, tell my brother to dividethe inheritance with me.” But He said
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to him, "Man, who made Me a judge oran arbitrator over you?” Even Jesus
didn’t try to settle every dispute.
And this family problem was over money.
It was about the inheritance.
Jesus said there were men in aposition to answer these questions,
but that wasn’t why He was here.
But then He went evendeeper into the problem.
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He used this request as anopportunity to teach the people
about their attitude toward money.
Verse fifteen says, “And He saidto them, ‘Take heed and beware of
covetousness, for one's life does notconsist in the abundance of the things
he possesses.’” There’s more—much more—tolife than money. Do you remember these
words of our Lord (16:27):
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole
world, and loses his own soul? Or whatwill a man give in exchange for his
soul?” [Matthew chapter 16, verse 26]?
Let’s continue in verse 16 (16:41):
“Then He spoke a parable to them, saying
a certain rich man yielded plentifully.
And he thought within himself, saying,'What shall I do, since I have no
room to store my crops?’ So he said,'I will do this: I will pull down my
barns and build greater, and there Iwill store all my crops and my goods.
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And I will say to my soul, "Soul, youhave many goods laid up for many years;
take your ease; eat, drink, and bemerry." But God said to him, 'Fool!
This night your soul will be required ofyou; then whose will those things be which
you have provided?’ So is he who laysup treasure for himself, and is not rich
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toward God.” This man was already rich.
Then he became richer.
He said it was time to enjoy himself.
He had plenty.
He had enough saved up to last for “manyyears”—not just a few years, but many.
But he lost it all in one night.
He lost his wealth, his life, andworst of all, he lost his soul.
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Some security his money gave him!
The Jews in the days of the prophetZephaniah fell into this trap.
They had done well forthemselves financially.
But they had forsaken the Lord.
And, they weren’t concerned about anytrouble that might come their way.
They didn’t think God would doanything one way or the other.
Zephaniah chapter one verse 12 saysthey were “settled in complacency.”
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The King James Version is more literal.
It says these Jews were “settled on theirlees.” The word “lees” refers to the
sediment in the bottom of a cup or bottle.
When juice sits for a while, theparticles settle on the bottom.
That’s why we shake it or stir it first.
That’s an illustration of these Jews.
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They sat back and took iteasy in their spiritual life.
They didn’t trust God or fear God.
They said in verse 12, “The Lord willnot do good, nor will He do evil.” They
were spiritually lazy and didn’t care.What they needed was what we do with
juice that’s settled on the bottom.
They needed a good shaking from God.
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They needed stirring up.
And God was about to give them just that.
He was about to punish these Jews.
And when that time came , God warnedthis later in Zephaniah chapter one verse
seventeen (19:05):
“Neither their silver nor their gold Shall be able to deliver them In the
day of the Lord's wrath.” Their money thatthey trusted in wouldn’t do them any good
when God’s wrath was poured out on them.
Here’s another verse that shows how muchfalse hope people put into what they own.
Listen to it and see if it doesn’tdescribe a lot of people today: “Their
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inner thought is that their houses willlast forever, their dwelling places to
all generations” [Psalm 49 verse 11]. It’salways foolish to assume the future will
unfold the way we plan it, especially whenthose plans involve money and possessions.
These are just a few of the warnings inthe Bible about the subject of money.
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But does this mean thatbeing rich is a sin?
No.
Not necessarily.
It's not having money that's a sin.
It's the attitude you havetoward it, and what you do
with it, or fail to do with it.
The Bible says in Genesis chapter 13verse two that Abraham “was very rich in
livestock, in silver, and in gold.” Andyet Abraham was a great man of faith who
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went on glory when he died according toHebrews chapter 11. Job was also very
wealthy. But the Bible also says he “wasblameless and upright, and one who feared
God and shunned evil” [Job one verse one].
We just saw in first Timothychapter 6, verse 17 that there
were rich men in the church atEphesus where Timothy was preaching.
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In that same chapter, there are somewords that have been misunderstood.
The King James Version says in FirstTimothy chapter six verse ten, “For the
love of money is the root of all evil.”That has been misquoted. It says the love
of money is the root of all evil, notmoney is the root of all evil. That’s
clear when you read the whole context.
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Notice First Timothy chapter six verses 9and 10: “But those who desire to be rich
fall into temptation and a snare, andinto many foolish and harmful lusts which
drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is a root ofall kinds of evil, for which some
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have strayed from the faith in theirgreediness, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows.” Verse 9warns about having a “desire to be
rich.” Verse 10 explains that further.
The love of money isthe root of the problem.
But what about the storyof the rich young ruler?
What did Jesus mean when he said, "Itis easier for a camel to go through
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the eye of a needle, then for a richman to enter the kingdom of God”?
The story begins in Matthew chapter19 verse 16: “Now behold, one came
and said to Him, "Good Teacher,what good thing shall I do that I
may have eternal life?” So He saidto him, "Why do you call Me good?
No one is good but One, that is, God.
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But if you want to enter into life,keep the commandments.” You have to
put Matthew and Luke together to getthe title of the “rich young ruler.”
Matthew says in verses 20 and 22 thathe was a young man. Luke says he was a
ruler, that is, a ruler of a synagogue,in Luke chapter 18 verse 18. Luke also
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adds that he was “very rich” in verse 23.
When Jesus told him to keep thecommandments, “He said to Him, ‘Which
ones?’ Jesus said, "'You shall notmurder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,'
'You shall not steal,' 'You shallnot bear false witness,’ 'Honor your
father and your mother,' and, 'Youshall love your neighbor as yourself.’"
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The young man said to Him, "All thesethings I have kept from my youth up.
What do I still lack?” The young man saidhe had kept these commandments of the law
since he was young, that is , since hewas even younger than he was when he met
Jesus—as we would say, since he was a boy.
It’s interesting that Jesus didn’tmention the greatest commandment
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of all—to love God with all of yourheart, mind, soul and strength.
And that just happened to be the areawhere this young man had fallen short.
In verse 21 Jesus said to him, "If youwant to be perfect”—which means complete,
not sinless—“go, sell what you haveand give to the poor, and you will have
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treasure in heaven; and come, followMe.” Both Mark and Luke say he lacked
“one thing.” Jesus put him to the testto bring out what was inside of him.
He told him to sell what heowned and give it to the poor.
Luke 18 verse 22 makesthis even more plain.
It says “sell all that you have.”Every command of God Jesus mentioned
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put him to the test—don’t steal, don’tbear false witness and the others.
But none of those commandstested him like this one.
It was a test of who or whathe trusted most—God or money.
Before he met Jesus it appearsthat he had a very good reputation.
That’s clear from what the apostles said.
When Jesus said what He did about the eyeof a needle, the disciples were amazed and
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said, “Who then can be saved?” [verse 25].
They were saying if this man, as good ashe was, is not saved, then who can be?
For him to give up his greatriches was the ultimate test.
Sadly, the Bible says, “But whenthe young man heard that saying,
he went away sorrowful, for he hadgreat possessions. Then Jesus said
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to His disciples, "Assuredly, I sayto you that it is hard for a rich
man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say to you, it is easierfor a camel to go through the eye of a
needle than for a rich man to enter thekingdom of God.” So what does Jesus mean?
He cannot mean that it is impossiblefor any rich man ever to be saved.
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We’ve already seen that can’t be true.
Another suggestion is that Jesus isalluding to some gate in the wall
of Jerusalem called the needle’s eyebecause it was so narrow it was hard
to go through it when there werecrowds trying to get in through it.
That wouldn’t mean that it wasimpossible for a rich man to enter
heaven but it would be very difficult.
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That sounds good and a lot of peoplebelieve this is what Jesus means,
but there’s no clear proof there wasa gate in the wall of Jerusalem in
Jesus’ day called the needle’s eye.
There’s no evidence thatit actually existed.
Another point to consider is thatJesus may be using a figure of speech
known as a hyperbole, a deliberateexaggeration or overstatement.
It’s not intended to be taken literally.
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We use hyperboles today for emphasisto stress what we’re saying.
For instance, we say “I laughed myhead off” or “I saw him in his car and
he was flying down the road.” Nobodytakes those statements literally.
If this is what Jesus is doing, thenHe’s using the eye of the needle as an
illustration, an intentional overstatementto make the point, which is: It is
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very hard for a rich man to be saved.
But there’s something else to think about.
When you hear the words “richman” what do you think of?
A man that has riches?
But in the Bible sometimes thewords “rich man” or “rich men”
mean men who trust in riches.
This is where it’s important to readMark’s account of the rich young ruler.
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He records something Jesus saidthat Matthew and Luke don’t.
Here is what Jesus said in Mark chapter 10verses 23 through 25: “Then Jesus looked
around and said to His disciples, "Howhard it is for those who have riches to
enter the kingdom of God!” If you stopthere, you’ll just see him saying the
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same thing you read in Matthew and Luke.
But notice verse 24 (26:58):
“And the disciples were astonished at His
words. But Jesus answered againand said to them, "Children, how
hard it is for those who trust inriches to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to go throughthe eye of a needle than for a rich man
to enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus isnot talking about men who have riches.
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He’s talking about menwho trust in riches.
That’s why He says it’s easier for acamel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter heaven.
A man who trusts in richescannot enter the kingdom!
The book of James uses thewords “rich men” the same way.
James doesn’t mean that awealthy man can’t be saved.
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He begins this book by talking to thepoor Christians and the rich Christians.
In James chapter 1 verses 9 and 10 hesaid: “Let the lowly brother glory in
his exaltation, but the rich in hishumiliation, because as a flower of
the field he will pass away.” So therewere poor brothers and rich brothers.
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But later he talks about acertain kind of rich men—wealthy
men who are greedy and prideful.
These are rich men who take advantageof others to get rich, and mistreat
others because they have it!
Notice what James says in chapter 2verses 6 and 7: “Do not the rich oppress
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you and drag you into the courts?
Do they not blaspheme that noble name bywhich you are called?” Then in chapter
five verse 1 he says, “Come now, you rich,weep and howl for your miseries that are
coming upon you!” These are the kind ofrich men Jesus was talking about when He
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said it’s easier for a camel to go throughthe eye of a needle than for a rich man
[a rich man like the ones James is talkingabout; a man who is rich and trusts
in his riches] to enter the kingdom.
But regardless of whether you're wealthyor poor by any standards, we need to look
at these verses and check our hearts,not just today, but on a regular basis.
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Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselvestreasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy and where thieves break in andsteal; but lay up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where neither moth nor rustdestroys and where thieves do not break
in and steal. For where your treasureis, there your heart will be also”
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[Matthew chapter 6 verses 19 through 21].
Thank you for listeningto My God and My Neighbor.
Stay connected with our podcast on ourwebsite and on Apple, Spotify, YouTube,
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Tennessee Bible College, providingChristian education since 1975
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in Cookeville, Tennessee, offersundergraduate and graduate programs.
Study at your level.
Aim higher and get in touch with us today.
Hi, I’m Kerry Duke, host of My Godand My Neighbor podcast from Tennessee
Bible College, where we see the Bibleas not just another book, but the Book.
Join us in a study of the inspiredWord to strengthen your faith and to
share what you've learned with others.
Jesus said, “It is easier for a camelto go through the eye of a needle, then
(00:21):
for a rich man to enter the kingdom ofGod” [Matthew chapter nineteen verse 24].
Did Jesus mean that a richman cannot go to heaven?
Does the Bible teach thatbeing wealthy is a sin?
There's no doubt that money and thethings you can buy with it is one of the
greatest temptations Christians face.
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Jesus said “the deceitfulness of riches”causes some Christians to fall [Matt.
13:22]. Jesus said thatriches are deceptive.
Money will fool you.
You can think you're in control of itwhen it's actually in control of you.
You can tell yourself you'renot being selfish or greedy, but
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your actions may say otherwise.
You can feel like you're putting Godfirst, but you may not notice how many
times a day you think about money.
This was one of the first things Godtold the Israelites to remember when
they went into the land of Canaan.
In Deuteronomy chapter 8 we finda warning that is fitting for any
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generation of people anywhere.
Moses begins in this chapter by remindingthe people of Israel where they've
been and what they've been through.
In verse two he said, “And you shallremember that the Lord your God led
you all the way these forty years inthe wilderness, to humble you and test
you, to know what was in your heart,whether you would keep His commandments
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or not.” The 40 years of wanderingin the wilderness was punishment.
The Israelites didn't trust in God whenthey came to the border of the promised
land the first time, and God made themto live in the desert for 40 years.
Now it's 40 years later.
This is a new generation of Israelites.
And God shows them in this verse thattheir wandering in the desert for
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40 years was not just punishment.
It was a test.
It was a test to see if they wouldlisten to God and trust and obey Him.
Notice what he says in verse three.
“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger,and fed you with manna which you did
not know nor did your fathers know, thatHe might make you know that man shall
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not live by bread alone; but man livesby every word that proceeds from the
mouth of the Lord.” Did you notice whatMoses said God did with his own people?
He allowed them to go hungry sometimes.
Why?
To humble them.
God didn't let them starve to death.
But He did let them feel hungry.
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It's not always a bad thing for aman to go without food for a while.
As a matter of fact, that'swhat brought the prodigal son to
his senses in Luke chapter 15.
Moses said God fed the Israeliteswith manna from heaven.
They didn't grow manna likethey would grow their crops.
That special food came straightfrom God, straight from heaven.
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God did that to make the Israelitesrealize how dependent they were on Him.
But Moses said God fed them withmanna for another reason: to “make you
know that man shall not live by breadalone; but man lives by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”That's the verse Jesus quoted to the
devil when Satan tempted Him to useHis powers to turn stones into bread.
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Look at how God took careof them in verse four.
“Your garments did not wear out onyou, nor did your foot swell these
forty years.” Many of the Israelitesin the first generation that came
out of Egypt were upset with Moses.
They told Moses he had led theminto this wilderness to die.
They said we're going to starve to death,and our children are going to die with us.
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But that didn't happen.
God sometimes made them wait beforethey had food and water, but He
made sure that they were fed.
But verse four says that Godsupernaturally preserved their
clothes and even their feet.
Verse five tells us another very importantpart of how God deals with His people.
This applies today as much as it didthen thirty-five hundred years ago.
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“You should know in your heart thatas a man chastens his son, so the
Lord your God chastens you.” Goddisciplined the Israelites in the desert.
He did that in many ways.
Moses already mentioned one.
He said sometimes God letthem go hungry for a while.
That's divine chastening.
And the Bible teaches in Hebrewschapter 12 verses five through 11
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that God disciplines Christians today.
Christianity is not about Godgiving us everything we want.
God is not some kind of celestialSanta Claus as C. S. Lewis said
who's just sitting up in heaven toshower us with everything we want.
God does bless his people.
There's no doubt about that.
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This passage says that Godblessed the Israelite people.
But it also says that Godcorrected or chastened them.
Sometimes he made them feel pain.
So in verses one through five, Mosestold the Israelite people to remember
the hard times they have been through.
He told them not to forgetthat God took care of them.
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Moses understood human nature.
He knew that when people havehard times, they pray to God.
But when they have it good,they forget about God.
Moses isn't talking to thesepeople like this because of
anything he can get out of it.
Moses is not going into the promised land.
He's doing this for their benefit.
Once they get into the promisedland, these Israelites can have
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more than they ever imagined.
And that’s where they will be tempted.
In verses six through nine, Moses gavethem a glimpse of all the prosperity they
were about to enjoy in their new home.
“Therefore you shall keep thecommandments of the Lord your God,
to walk in His ways and to fear Him.
For the Lord your God is bringing youinto a good land, a land of brooks of
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water, of fountains and springs, thatflow out of valleys and hills; a land of
wheat and barley, of vines and fig treesand pomegranates, a land of olive oil
and honey; a land in which you will eatbread without scarcity, in which you will
lack nothing; a land whose stones areiron and out of whose hills you can dig
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copper.” Imagine all the opportunitiesthese people would have to make money!
Talk about a financial boom!
These people that had lived inthe desert are about to be rich!
And Moses, knowing human nature likehe did, and knowing these Israelites
like he did, knew that they might getso caught up enjoying their good life
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that they would forget about God.
That's why he warns thembeginning in verse 10.
“When you have eaten and are full, thenyou shall bless the Lord your God for
the good land which He has given you.
Beware that you do not forget theLord your God by not keeping His
commandments, His judgments, and Hisstatutes which I command you today,
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lest—when you have eaten and are full,and have built beautiful houses and
dwell in them; and when your herds andyour flocks multiply, and your silver
and your gold are multiplied, and allthat you have is multiplied; when your
heart is lifted up, and you forgetthe Lord your God who brought you out
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of the land of Egypt, from the houseof bondage.” Therein lies the danger.
God gives man a good life.
Then man becomes independentand proud and forgets about God.
This has been the story ofmankind down through the ages.
There are many enjoyablethings in this life.
There's nothing wrong with that.
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The Bible says in first Timothychapter 6, verse 17 that God gives
us richly all things to enjoy.
But that's not all that verse says.
Paul said, “Command those who are richin this present age not to be haughty,
nor to trust in uncertain riches but inthe living God, who gives us richly all
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things to enjoy.” The problem is notenjoying what God has given us. It’s
enjoying those things and forgettingabout the God who gave them to us!
We can excuse ourselves all we wantby saying that we get busy and that
we don't mean to be unthankful.
But if we fail to be thankful and weforget about God, that's our fault.
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It's a serious thing witha man forget about God.
It's a serious thing when men,women and children are ungrateful.
Deuteronomy chapter eight needsto be read to every person in
this country at least once a week!
Moses goes on to say that God is theOne “who led you through that great and
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terrible wilderness, in which were fieryserpents and scorpions and thirsty land
where there was no water; who broughtwater for you out of the flinty rock;
who fed you in the wilderness with manna,which your fathers did not know, that
He might humble you and that He mighttest you, to do you good in the end.”
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If you forget all that God did for youthose forty years, then you’re in danger.
He said in verse 17, “ Then you say inyour heart, 'My power and the might of
my hand have gained me this wealth.’”
That’s what happens.
A man works hard and makes a good living.
He's paid off his debts.
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He’s saved plenty of money.
He's got enough to leavesomething for his children.
He tells himself, “I worked hard. Ididn't throw money away. I used my
head and it paid off.” In his mind,he's the one that made it happen.
He made himself rich.
You know, the sad thing about this isthat many in our nation do even worse.
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They don't just say this to themselves.
They brag about it toanybody that will listen.
What happens to people like this?
Many times they forget about thehard times they've been through.
But whether they came up hard orhad the good fortune of being born
into wealth, they make the samemistake: they forget all about God.
Moses warned the Israelites and God iswarning us in verse 18: “And you shall
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remember the Lord your God, for it isHe who gives you power to get wealth,
that He may establish His covenant whichHe swore to your fathers, as it is this
day.” Did you notice what God gives?
Moses didn't say God gives wealth.
He said God is the one who gives youthe power or the ability to get wealth.
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How many people today even consider this?
A man who owns a business thinksthe only reason he's done well is
because he's a savvy businessman.
A doctor thinks the so reason he'smade a good living is because of
all the years he went to school.
A construction worker thinks he's earneda good paycheck because he's put his
back as well as his brain into his work.
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But none of these men could evenbreathe or move without God.
Acts chapter 17 verse 25 says, “Hegives to all life, breath, and all
things.” No billionaire could haveeven made his first dollar without
the strength to get up out of bed.
Where did that strength come from?
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God gives us the power to get wealth.
That means He gives us the abilityand the opportunity to acquire money.
How many people even consider this today?
How many people like this everthink that God can and will take
all that wealth away some day?
That will happen when we die.
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The richest man that ever lived—farricher than anyone today you’re thinking
about—Solomon—said, “As he came from hismother's womb, naked shall he return,
to go as he came; And he shall takenothing from his labor which he may
carry away in his hand” [Ecclesiastes5, verse 15]. Paul said, “For we
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brought nothing into this world, andit is certain we can carry nothing out”
[First Timothy chapter six verse 7].
How can a human being know that he'sgoing to die and leave every penny
he has behind, and yet spend all ofhis time thinking about how to make
more money and how to hold onto it?
It doesn't make sense does it?
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In fact, you would think a manlike this has lost his mind.
And that's really what has happened.
Not in a clinical, psychological sense.
But he's lost his moraland spiritual mind.
This is what Moses warned.
God people about in Deuteronomy chapter 8.
Money is deceptive.
That's the very thing Jesus saidin Matthew chapter 13 verse 22:
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even some Christians are fooledby the deceitfulness of riches.
In fact, some of the last wordsJesus says in the Bible are about
Christians who have become independentand prideful because of their money.
In Revelation, chapter 3 verses 14 through
22, Jesus talks to the church at Laodicea.
Laodicea was is a wealthy city.
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They had done well for themselves.
There was a congregationof God's people there.
But these wealthy Christianshad lost their zeal.
Jesus said they were lukewarmabout their Christianity.
He said, “So then, because you arelukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
vomit you out of My mouth.” Why would theLord use this kind of language? He tells
us in the next verse—verse 17 (13:54):
“Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy,
and have need of nothing.’” There was theproblem. These Christians did the very
thing Moses warned God’s people not to do.
They had money and they feltlike that was all they needed.
In their own words, they said, “We don’tneed anything.” They were like some today.
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They have enough money and then some.
They don’t think they needanything from anybody, and if
they do, they’ll pay for it.
People today talk about being “financiallyindependent.” What an illusion.
What a lie.
There is no such thing as a manbeing financially independent.
Even on a human level, every manneeds help from somebody or at least
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from circumstances he didn’t create.
But on the divine level, it isdisgusting to the God of heaven
for mankind, especially Christians,to get the big head over money.
That’s why Jesus told the Christiansat Laodicea they were making Him sick
to His stomach with their arrogance!
And, He straightened them out about theirreal condition—their condition on the
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inside, not the outside, their spiritualcondition, not their material state.
He said you “do not know thatyou are wretched, miserable,
poor, blind, and naked”!
They were rich with money,but they were poor in faith!
Money gives a false sense of security.
People today say money empowers them.
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It makes them feel likethey're in control.
But again, the Bible has beenwarning mankind for thousands
of years about this delusion.
There’s an interestingstory in Luke chapter 12.
The Bible says beginning in verse 13,“Then one from the crowd said to Him,
"Teacher, tell my brother to dividethe inheritance with me.” But He said
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to him, "Man, who made Me a judge oran arbitrator over you?” Even Jesus
didn’t try to settle every dispute.
And this family problem was over money.
It was about the inheritance.
Jesus said there were men in aposition to answer these questions,
but that wasn’t why He was here.
But then He went evendeeper into the problem.
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He used this request as anopportunity to teach the people
about their attitude toward money.
Verse fifteen says, “And He saidto them, ‘Take heed and beware of
covetousness, for one's life does notconsist in the abundance of the things
he possesses.’” There’s more—much more—tolife than money. Do you remember these
words of our Lord (16:27):
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole
world, and loses his own soul? Or whatwill a man give in exchange for his
soul?” [Matthew chapter 16, verse 26]?
Let’s continue in verse 16 (16:41):
“Then He spoke a parable to them, saying
a certain rich man yielded plentifully.
And he thought within himself, saying,'What shall I do, since I have no
room to store my crops?’ So he said,'I will do this: I will pull down my
barns and build greater, and there Iwill store all my crops and my goods.
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And I will say to my soul, "Soul, youhave many goods laid up for many years;
take your ease; eat, drink, and bemerry." But God said to him, 'Fool!
This night your soul will be required ofyou; then whose will those things be which
you have provided?’ So is he who laysup treasure for himself, and is not rich
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toward God.” This man was already rich.
Then he became richer.
He said it was time to enjoy himself.
He had plenty.
He had enough saved up to last for “manyyears”—not just a few years, but many.
But he lost it all in one night.
He lost his wealth, his life, andworst of all, he lost his soul.
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Some security his money gave him!
The Jews in the days of the prophetZephaniah fell into this trap.
They had done well forthemselves financially.
But they had forsaken the Lord.
And, they weren’t concerned about anytrouble that might come their way.
They didn’t think God would doanything one way or the other.
Zephaniah chapter one verse 12 saysthey were “settled in complacency.”
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The King James Version is more literal.
It says these Jews were “settled on theirlees.” The word “lees” refers to the
sediment in the bottom of a cup or bottle.
When juice sits for a while, theparticles settle on the bottom.
That’s why we shake it or stir it first.
That’s an illustration of these Jews.
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They sat back and took iteasy in their spiritual life.
They didn’t trust God or fear God.
They said in verse 12, “The Lord willnot do good, nor will He do evil.” They
were spiritually lazy and didn’t care.What they needed was what we do with
juice that’s settled on the bottom.
They needed a good shaking from God.
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They needed stirring up.
And God was about to give them just that.
He was about to punish these Jews.
And when that time came , God warnedthis later in Zephaniah chapter one verse
seventeen (19:05):
“Neither their silver nor their gold Shall be able to deliver them In the
day of the Lord's wrath.” Their money thatthey trusted in wouldn’t do them any good
when God’s wrath was poured out on them.
Here’s another verse that shows how muchfalse hope people put into what they own.
Listen to it and see if it doesn’tdescribe a lot of people today: “Their
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inner thought is that their houses willlast forever, their dwelling places to
all generations” [Psalm 49 verse 11]. It’salways foolish to assume the future will
unfold the way we plan it, especially whenthose plans involve money and possessions.
These are just a few of the warnings inthe Bible about the subject of money.
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But does this mean thatbeing rich is a sin?
No.
Not necessarily.
It's not having money that's a sin.
It's the attitude you havetoward it, and what you do
with it, or fail to do with it.
The Bible says in Genesis chapter 13verse two that Abraham “was very rich in
livestock, in silver, and in gold.” Andyet Abraham was a great man of faith who
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went on glory when he died according toHebrews chapter 11. Job was also very
wealthy. But the Bible also says he “wasblameless and upright, and one who feared
God and shunned evil” [Job one verse one].
We just saw in first Timothychapter 6, verse 17 that there
were rich men in the church atEphesus where Timothy was preaching.
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In that same chapter, there are somewords that have been misunderstood.
The King James Version says in FirstTimothy chapter six verse ten, “For the
love of money is the root of all evil.”That has been misquoted. It says the love
of money is the root of all evil, notmoney is the root of all evil. That’s
clear when you read the whole context.
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Notice First Timothy chapter six verses 9and 10: “But those who desire to be rich
fall into temptation and a snare, andinto many foolish and harmful lusts which
drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is a root ofall kinds of evil, for which some
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have strayed from the faith in theirgreediness, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows.” Verse 9warns about having a “desire to be
rich.” Verse 10 explains that further.
The love of money isthe root of the problem.
But what about the storyof the rich young ruler?
What did Jesus mean when he said, "Itis easier for a camel to go through
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the eye of a needle, then for a richman to enter the kingdom of God”?
The story begins in Matthew chapter19 verse 16: “Now behold, one came
and said to Him, "Good Teacher,what good thing shall I do that I
may have eternal life?” So He saidto him, "Why do you call Me good?
No one is good but One, that is, God.
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But if you want to enter into life,keep the commandments.” You have to
put Matthew and Luke together to getthe title of the “rich young ruler.”
Matthew says in verses 20 and 22 thathe was a young man. Luke says he was a
ruler, that is, a ruler of a synagogue,in Luke chapter 18 verse 18. Luke also
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adds that he was “very rich” in verse 23.
When Jesus told him to keep thecommandments, “He said to Him, ‘Which
ones?’ Jesus said, "'You shall notmurder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,'
'You shall not steal,' 'You shallnot bear false witness,’ 'Honor your
father and your mother,' and, 'Youshall love your neighbor as yourself.’"
(22:49):
The young man said to Him, "All thesethings I have kept from my youth up.
What do I still lack?” The young man saidhe had kept these commandments of the law
since he was young, that is , since hewas even younger than he was when he met
Jesus—as we would say, since he was a boy.
It’s interesting that Jesus didn’tmention the greatest commandment
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of all—to love God with all of yourheart, mind, soul and strength.
And that just happened to be the areawhere this young man had fallen short.
In verse 21 Jesus said to him, "If youwant to be perfect”—which means complete,
not sinless—“go, sell what you haveand give to the poor, and you will have
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treasure in heaven; and come, followMe.” Both Mark and Luke say he lacked
“one thing.” Jesus put him to the testto bring out what was inside of him.
He told him to sell what heowned and give it to the poor.
Luke 18 verse 22 makesthis even more plain.
It says “sell all that you have.”Every command of God Jesus mentioned
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put him to the test—don’t steal, don’tbear false witness and the others.
But none of those commandstested him like this one.
It was a test of who or whathe trusted most—God or money.
Before he met Jesus it appearsthat he had a very good reputation.
That’s clear from what the apostles said.
When Jesus said what He did about the eyeof a needle, the disciples were amazed and
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said, “Who then can be saved?” [verse 25].
They were saying if this man, as good ashe was, is not saved, then who can be?
For him to give up his greatriches was the ultimate test.
Sadly, the Bible says, “But whenthe young man heard that saying,
he went away sorrowful, for he hadgreat possessions. Then Jesus said
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to His disciples, "Assuredly, I sayto you that it is hard for a rich
man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say to you, it is easierfor a camel to go through the eye of a
needle than for a rich man to enter thekingdom of God.” So what does Jesus mean?
He cannot mean that it is impossiblefor any rich man ever to be saved.
(25:05):
We’ve already seen that can’t be true.
Another suggestion is that Jesus isalluding to some gate in the wall
of Jerusalem called the needle’s eyebecause it was so narrow it was hard
to go through it when there werecrowds trying to get in through it.
That wouldn’t mean that it wasimpossible for a rich man to enter
heaven but it would be very difficult.
(25:25):
That sounds good and a lot of peoplebelieve this is what Jesus means,
but there’s no clear proof there wasa gate in the wall of Jerusalem in
Jesus’ day called the needle’s eye.
There’s no evidence thatit actually existed.
Another point to consider is thatJesus may be using a figure of speech
known as a hyperbole, a deliberateexaggeration or overstatement.
It’s not intended to be taken literally.
(25:48):
We use hyperboles today for emphasisto stress what we’re saying.
For instance, we say “I laughed myhead off” or “I saw him in his car and
he was flying down the road.” Nobodytakes those statements literally.
If this is what Jesus is doing, thenHe’s using the eye of the needle as an
illustration, an intentional overstatementto make the point, which is: It is
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very hard for a rich man to be saved.
But there’s something else to think about.
When you hear the words “richman” what do you think of?
A man that has riches?
But in the Bible sometimes thewords “rich man” or “rich men”
mean men who trust in riches.
This is where it’s important to readMark’s account of the rich young ruler.
(26:35):
He records something Jesus saidthat Matthew and Luke don’t.
Here is what Jesus said in Mark chapter 10verses 23 through 25: “Then Jesus looked
around and said to His disciples, "Howhard it is for those who have riches to
enter the kingdom of God!” If you stopthere, you’ll just see him saying the
(26:56):
same thing you read in Matthew and Luke.
But notice verse 24 (26:58):
“And the disciples were astonished at His
words. But Jesus answered againand said to them, "Children, how
hard it is for those who trust inriches to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to go throughthe eye of a needle than for a rich man
to enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus isnot talking about men who have riches.
(27:23):
He’s talking about menwho trust in riches.
That’s why He says it’s easier for acamel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter heaven.
A man who trusts in richescannot enter the kingdom!
The book of James uses thewords “rich men” the same way.
James doesn’t mean that awealthy man can’t be saved.
(27:44):
He begins this book by talking to thepoor Christians and the rich Christians.
In James chapter 1 verses 9 and 10 hesaid: “Let the lowly brother glory in
his exaltation, but the rich in hishumiliation, because as a flower of
the field he will pass away.” So therewere poor brothers and rich brothers.
(28:07):
But later he talks about acertain kind of rich men—wealthy
men who are greedy and prideful.
These are rich men who take advantageof others to get rich, and mistreat
others because they have it!
Notice what James says in chapter 2verses 6 and 7: “Do not the rich oppress
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you and drag you into the courts?
Do they not blaspheme that noble name bywhich you are called?” Then in chapter
five verse 1 he says, “Come now, you rich,weep and howl for your miseries that are
coming upon you!” These are the kind ofrich men Jesus was talking about when He
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said it’s easier for a camel to go throughthe eye of a needle than for a rich man
[a rich man like the ones James is talkingabout; a man who is rich and trusts
in his riches] to enter the kingdom.
But regardless of whether you're wealthyor poor by any standards, we need to look
at these verses and check our hearts,not just today, but on a regular basis.
(29:11):
Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselvestreasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy and where thieves break in andsteal; but lay up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where neither moth nor rustdestroys and where thieves do not break
in and steal. For where your treasureis, there your heart will be also”
(29:32):
[Matthew chapter 6 verses 19 through 21].
Thank you for listeningto My God and My Neighbor.
Stay connected with our podcast on ourwebsite and on Apple, Spotify, YouTube,
or wherever fine podcasts are distributed.
Tennessee Bible College, providingChristian education since 1975
(29:52):
in Cookeville, Tennessee, offersundergraduate and graduate programs.
Study at your level.
Aim higher and get in touch with us today.
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.