Jesus’ Wealth Warning: Will Your Money Keep You Out of Heaven?預覽

Is Jesus really saying that the world’s idea of Success is bad?

We admire the rich. We celebrate success. We strive for promotion and recognition. We chase after financial security. All of these things are highly valued in our world today.

But Jesus gives a warning to the businesspeople of his day – and to us today also:

He said to them,“You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts.What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. – Luke 16:15

This is definitely a verse not often discussed among Christians or preached in our churches.

Here, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, a group of Jewish businesspeople who took it upon themselves to “help” the nation of Israel stay as close as possible to the teachings of God as handed down to their ancestors. They were the political conservatives of the day.

So why is he giving such a strong warning? And what core message is he giving them –and us today – in this verse?

Jesus flips our definition of success.

Society teaches us that the more we have – wealth, status, influence – the more valuable we are. Even in Christian circles, wealth and leadership are often seen as signs of God’s blessing.

Yet, Jesus says what people admire most is detestable to God.

Take a moment to let that sink in… what people value highly, God detests.

So… if what the world celebrates – business success, status, wealth – is worthless in God’s sight, then maybe we’ve been measuring success the wrong way.

In Jesus’ day, many believed that success and wealth were blessings from God – a sign of God’s favor upon their lives.

But Jesus never taught that!

Instead of reinforcing that idea, He turned the status quo on its head. He says flat out that chasing after worldly success and wealth is detestable to God.

So, what now?

If this verse makes you uncomfortable, that’s good. It means the Holy Spirit is working on you.

Success in God’s Kingdom looks nothing like success in the world. Kingdom economics are not at all the same as the world’s economics. The first will be last. The humble will be exalted. The rich will struggle to enter heaven.

What are you chasing? More money? A bigger house? A higher position?

Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). That’s where true success lies.

What the world values highly is destestable to God.

These are the words of Jesus we need to live by.