Rich man and the Kingdom of God? If I ask you can a rich man go to he..

on May 21, 2021

If I ask you can a rich man go to heaven; what would you say? Would you quote our Lord who said:

"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." (Mark 10:25 KJV)

Would you take the above scripture and pair it with:

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10 KJV)

Then would your final answer be; “No, a rich man cannot go to heaven”?

Well if you are still unsure; let’s take today’s example from one of the world’s greatest saints.

John Wesley

You may have heard of John Wesley before; by all accounts during his time he was a very popular man. John was also a very rich man. John Wesley grew up wanting for nothing; again he was a very wealthy man.

But, John was raised by God fearing parents. By an early age, it was expected that John and his brother Charles would go into ministry: and they both did.

Artwork

One cold evening, after a church service, John noticed a woman did not have a coat. As John walked into his home that night, his thoughts were on that lady as he glanced his walls. On his walls, he had high dollar artwork and in that moment conviction hit him.

He said something along the lines of, “How do I sit here with high dollar artwork lining my walls when I know someone who does not have a coat to wear”. John took one of the paintings, sold it and purchased that lady a coat.

Bibles and Methodist Hymn Books

John’s brother, Charles, was also in ministry. Charles Wesley wrote hymns; you have probably sung an abbreviated version of one of Charles Wesley hymns. What did these brothers do with their wealth; they printed Methodist hymn books!

What else did they do? They printed Bibles. What else did they do? They built orphanages! And, they formed the Methodist Church! These men were rich, they had access to whatever they wanted and this is what they chose to do!

Wealthy and well known

Though John was wealthy and could go and do as he pleased…. Wait, could he? Though, John was wealthy and very well known; he was not allowed in a lot of places. He was often jumped and beat by the men in the towns that he visited; and a lot of places that he went would not allow him to preach indoors!

Why?

Because, when John preached Holy Ghost fire fell! And, when that happened it did not matter how well known he was or how much money he had. Him and “that Holy Ghost“ that seemed to follow him everywhere he went; was not welcome!

Standing Appointment

Every morning of every day of John’s life; he had a standing appointment. His appointment was set for four o’clock in the morning; so every night he would get in bed early as to be sure that he could get up on time.

John took his appointment very seriously. BUT, who could he have been meeting with that early in the morning? The one who NEVER SLEEPS, the ONLY ETERNAL GOD!

I’ll ask again

We see from John’s life, that he disciplined every aspect of his life. From how he spent his money to how he spent his time.

So, I will ask you again, can a rich man go to heaven?

Carry nothing out..

The one want of the rich and wealthy in this life is to keep adding wealth. The more they get, the more they want. They live as if they can carry something out of this life!

Not knowing that our scripture clearly states:

"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."
(1 Timothy 6:7 KJV)

All of the earthly possessions accumulated in this life will eventually burn up; while the soul of that rich man is burning in hell…forever!

Eye of a needle

John Wesley represents the camel going through the eye of a needle!

Yes, John Wesley represents the upper echelon of saints and his life provides an example of how to live this life correctly.

To answer the opening question; yes a rich man can go to Heaven; at least we know that there will be one!

…

Read more about the world’s greatest saints by clicking on any of the blogs under the “of whom the world was not worthy tab”. Here are a few quick links:

STEPPED out onto the HORIZON