Gracious Privilege

Last night I saw a portion of a "60 Minutes" segment which detailed the lives of some young girls in the Middle East.  They were shown driving, eating at a restaurant, riding horses, and speeding around on motorboats.  Over and over they were referred to as a "privileged" class based upon their financial wealth.  It is not the first time I have heard the rich referred to as "privileged."  In a worldly sense I understand the point being made.  Those who are wealthy have worldly benefits.  But spiritually speaking, the Bible presents a conflicting perspective.  I would contend that with the privilege of wealth comes the probability of spiritual bankruptcy. 

There is nothing wrong with financial wealth, providing it is used for the glory of God.  Many people, however, are driven by strong desires to be wealthy.  1 Timothy 6:6-10 reads, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."  The desire to be rich has caused many people to fall into temptation, traps, and foolish and harmful lusts which destroy.  Even people who have trusted in Christ are not immune to the tendency towards greed.  Those who seek after riches instead of God impale themselves with many sorrows.  Because of our inherited sin nature, both poor and rich alike tend towards greed, envy, and contentiousness.

Jesus said something in Matthew 19:23-26 which bears careful examination:  "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ And again I say to you, 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." ²⁵ When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" ²⁶ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  A rich man tends to trust in his riches, while that is hardly the issue for the "less privileged."  Jesus says it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to enter into heaven.  Through hyperbole Jesus was illustrating the fact that men trust their money more than God.  But just like poverty does not keep a man out of heaven, nor does the abundance of riches.  What is impossible with men is possible with God.

No matter how much money you have in your account, it is certain that it will not follow you into eternity.  The mummified corpses of Egyptian Pharaohs were discovered thousands of years later surrounded by riches which could not help them in the afterlife.  Salvation and an eternal home in the heavens is priceless, and cannot be purchased with money, platinum, silver, gold, stocks, bonds, or gemstones.  The only way into heaven is absolute perfection.  The Bible tells us what we already know:  all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death.  All people who walk this earth have one thing in common.  Every human body will eventually be corrupted and perish.  Because the wages of sin is death, eternity in hell is the wage we have earned for our sins.  But Jesus was sent as Messiah to shed His blood as payment for our sins, the perfect Lamb of God.  1 John 4:10 says, "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."  Proved through His resurrection after three days, Jesus has atoned for the sins of all who will repent and trust in Him - no matter how "unprivileged" you may feel.  Jesus states in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

The poor look at the rich as if they have a great privilege, and some rich are convinced they are not privileged at all.  When a man believes he is entitled or deserves more than he has, he cannot appreciate his privileges.  There are few liabilities more spiritually disastrous to a man or woman than great wealth.  But what is not possible for any man is possible with God.  To trust in dollars makes no sense.  Trust in Jesus Christ and give all your resources into His hands.  There is no greater privilege than being a child of God.  Malachi 3:17 reads, "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him."  The best investment of your life is to repent and trust in Jesus Christ.  This conscious choice to enter into a relationship with God pays eternal dividends!  Salvation is a privilege no man can earn:  it is received by God's grace.  It is a privilege only those who humble themselves may obtain.  There is no privilege greater than spending eternity with Jesus!