Today in the One Year Bible we read from Matthew 19:13-30. Jesus tells a rich young man that he needs to sell everything he has, give the money to the poor, and follow Jesus. The young man goes away sadly because he was very rich. Bad choice.
Jesus tells His disciples that it's very very difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples are shocked. "Then who can be saved??"
"Nothing is impossible for God."
This story should both alarm us and give us hope, living in the 21st century in the United States. If you're reading this, you are (almost certainly) wealthier than most people who have lived throughout history. We've got appliances to do most of our household work for us. We live in air conditioned comfort year round, and have running water for showers and the toilet. We eat whatever we want every day. We're wealthy.
So can we be saved? Yes, we can. But that's because everything is possible with God. We need to make sure we're doing what Jesus told us to, though. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those who are sick or in prison. Because even though everything is possible with God, we need to make sure we're doing His work on earth and "working out our salvation with fear and trembling."
God, thank You for making all things possible, even our salvation. Please help us cooperate in that process.
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