Living In The Light

May 14, Trusting The Bank Of Heaven

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
—Mark 10:25 LL 144.1

Here the strength of riches is seen. The power of the love of riches over the human mind is almost paralyzing. Riches infatuate many and make them act as though they were bereft of reason. The more they have of this world, the more they desire. Their fears of coming to want, increase with their riches. They have a disposition to hoard up means for the future. They are close and selfish, fearing that God will not provide for their future needs. Such persons are indeed poor toward God. As their riches have accumulated, they have put their trust in them and have not had faith in God or His promises. LL 144.2

The poor person who has faith and confidence in God, who trusts in His love and care, and who abounds in good works, judiciously using the little he or she has in blessing others with their means, is rich toward God. He or she feels that their neighbor has claims upon them that they cannot disregard and yet obey the commandment of God: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” The poor who are rich toward God consider the salvation of their fellow human beings of greater importance than all the gold and silver that the world contains. LL 144.3

Christ points out the way in which those who have worldly riches and yet are not rich toward God may secure the true riches. He says: Sell that ye have, and give alms, and lay up treasure in heaven. The remedy He proposes for the wealthy is a transfer of their affections from earthly riches to the eternal inheritance. By investing their means in the cause of God to aid in the salvation of souls, and by blessing the needy with their means, they become rich in good works and are “laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” This will prove a safe investment. But many show by their works that they dare not trust in the bank of heaven. They choose to trust their means in the earth rather than send it before them to heaven, that their hearts may be upon their heavenly treasure.— Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 680, 681. LL 144.4

Further Reflection: : Do you see indications in your life that the pursuit of wealth is causing you to lose sight of the true riches spoken of by Christ? LL 144.5