According to Jesus it will take a miracle! How literal is this message?

Matthew, Chapter 19:

 ²³Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 ²⁴And again I say unto you, 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.

 ²⁵When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

 ²⁶But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Jesus was very clear on this. He said that it is humanly impossible but it could happen... but it would take a miracle from God.

As long as I have studied scripture, I have discounted this message as a metaphor. In recent years I have struggled with my "discounting" of His messages. Either I am to take Jesus as truth or I cannot be sure of anything He says. I can promise you that He is not a liar, therefore, I have begun to take His messages literally. Especially when there are so many other references made to the same topic and all saying the same thing.

I was "pretty sure" that this message from Jesus was 100% literal until a few days ago... then I became totally sure that it is all true! This message is one of the most alarming messages our Lord ever taught! In it's raw form it goes against every lesson our parents, teachers and preachers have taught us about becoming successful. We need to talk... Hang around, I'll get there.

The author of the Book of James was Jesus' half-brother. They had the same mother. I would think that if you grew up with and lived with the Son of God it would make you wiser than most about God's nature and human nature. Maybe not but I would think so. There are many scriptures I can use but I will use (only) a few so I won't bore you to tears.

James 2

¹⁴ What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? ¹⁵ Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, ¹⁶ and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

James 5

 ¹ Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. ² Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. ³ Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment. ⁴ For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

 ⁵ You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.

Here is the most revealing sentence: "This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment." James is a straight-shooter! He does not play with words. He says it like it is and he does not stutter! I can see and understand what he is saying. The methods that virtually all wealthy people employ are (usually) heavily weighted in the favor of the wealthy employers and those who have the upper hand in business. Oppression is rampant and was the very reason for unions in the early days and continues in countries such as China where children and the poor are exploited and considered less than slaves. Very few employers and fewer of the wealthy are fair and caring. The working herd are considered just that; a working herd to be used.

I can tell you I have been on the short end of that equation in virtually every business partner I ever had when I was the minor partner. I was always "used" and "taken to the cleaners"... cheated is a better way of stating it. It does not help me to understand that they will not enter the Kingdom. I would have much preferred that they had done the "right" and Christian thing.

I was always trustworthy and fair in my dealings with partners and employees and that was considered by the partners as being "easy" or weak. An invitation to allow them to take advantage of me. A real shame! This was the main reason I never considered myself to be a good businessman.

Rule Of Thumb: By world standards a good businessman takes advantage of people. Double shame! Preachers should call their members aside and teach them about these things as Paul instructed. The problem is that preachers are afraid to offend their members and lose their tithe. Make no mistake about it! This will be held against the preacher/pastor in that final tally at the final judgement. Of course most of these "good businessmen" don't attend church anyway. Many times, those that are members of a church use the church as a "front." Perhaps they do not see themselves in this capacity. I am convinced that most people who are highly regarded by the community as "Godly" see no fault in their business methods... They are incapable of seeing themselves as God sees them.

I have known many thieves in business. Sadly, some of the best businessmen sit on the front pew of church, as they (mentally) count their money. I'll say it again; they probably are blinded to their sin. I'm sure of it! As I type this, I am thinking of several (past) associates who are blinded to their thieving nature. They have no clue! I know some preachers/pastors that are thieves where business dealings are concerned. They are just as blind as the businessmen. They have no clue... because they are not of God. That may be a shock to some folks... the fact that many preachers and pastors are hell bound.

There are many rich men that will not see the Kingdom. They do not even know they are "rich." Consider this: If you have two coats and another has none, give him one. From this teaching we can plainly see that "rich" may simply mean that you have more possessions than you have need and another brother has none. My Good Lord! How few are making God happy. This "realization" and message, will not fill the pews of your local church. Is it any wonder that Jesus said that the road is narrow and few will enter? Jesus said that it is impossible for a rich man to enter but it is possible with God's help. Can you see HIS point?

Consider this; The evil entity... enemies of Christ... are numerous as was warned by Jesus. The world is predominately evil and does not abide by (true) Christian beliefs. We are outnumbered and if you do not believe this truth, you have your head in the sand or you do not listen to the news... well anyway, to make us believe that the teachings of Jesus are less than total truth, Satan had to infiltrate most all doctrines and convince the "unknowing" that the "Prosperity Doctrine" is of Jesus. It is not. These teachers/preachers want your money and you can go to hell for all they care. Many well-meaning preachers have gradually fallen to the teachings of the world and they have reduced the bible to a book of convenience... their convenience... to take your money and increase membership of their club. They tell you "stuff" that you want to hear. Joel Osteen is one of the best practitioners of this dark art. Remember the teachings of Jesus... to paraphrase Jesus; If the "world" loves you, you must be of the world and not of His Kingdom. Jesus promised that if you belong to Him, the world would hate you. I find (that) to be the case! I can tell you this; people I once counted as friends now hate me. For no reason! Some have not even read my pages that I have been led to pen. Strange! It just happened! I cover this on the page www.john33.com/wheat-chaff.htm ... they just went away.

OK... Let's get down to the "rat-killin." This is where the rubber meets the road. As you may know, the things I write about are based in scripture but have played out in my life. My experiences.

For many years I had been puzzled as to why the Lord had dried up my resources. Why had He denied monetary success? Since I began my petition to reenter His service, I had been systematically denied any financial success. Spiritual enrichment galore but no material wealth. Hand-to-mouth, day-to-day... a meager survival. I was stripped of any and all pride. My life was a veritable laboratory of biblical truths... truths and lessons learned.

In recent months I had been pulled into a situation whereby I was to use my skills in a business venture to help a fallen friend make some money. The Holy Spirit kept warning me to stay clear. It had become obvious that I was not to engage in any business venture. The feeling was far more than a "feeling" it was a warning of destruction! I did not understand but I honored the warning. I was also warned that there was a lesson in progress for the friend. The Holy Spirit is really busy in these last days... teaching lessons to many of us while pain and suffering abound for many. Then a few days ago the revelations began... the reason why. The topic and scriptures on this page were at the center of the lesson.

THE LESSON: I was told, in the Spirit, that I was not prepared to handle financial prosperity without mishandling the proceeds and falling into the great sin that Jesus warned about in the first scripture above... the "camel and eye of the needle" lesson. There is far more to this ongoing lesson than what I have revealed on this page. It is still in the development stage of understanding. However, I had been shown enough that I was instructed to write this page. The warning is simply this; there are very few who are handling material prosperity properly and it will disallow many from the Kingdom. It was an act of love shown me by Christ that I was not allowed to continue in business... It is not in line with my purpose and mission for HIM. There is a new assignment coming but I have a few things to learn... HE is teaching me and I am listening.

Some of my readers subscribe to the "once saved always saved" doctrine and they feel that it is not necessary to pay attention to the scriptures that give advice and warnings about how we should conduct our lives. They feel that if they "wander" from the instructions and teachings from Jesus or His apostles, it is covered under the doctrine of "grace." I urge those who are new to this doctrine to reconsider... Those directions and instructions are your way to the Kingdom . Pay attention! You don't want to miss the Kingdom! Jesus tells us that the path is narrow and few will find it.

Be sure of this; there is literal truth in Jesus' teaching that "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."

Stay tuned,

John
www.john33.com

1-18-10