Today’s Devotion
Topic: What Then Will Be There For Us?
Text: Matthew 19: 27
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Amen
One day, a rich young man came to Jesus inquiring how he could gain eternal life. Jesus told him to go and observe the commandments. “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Peter in particular was worried. If it was going to be a challenge for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, then indirectly, none of them was to desire wealth or even think about any benefits in Christ except for a life of solitude, hardwork and maybe poverty so as to make it to heaven — a very great demotivation indeed!
Peter asked the Lord, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Mat 19: 16- 25)
Cheer up, Child of God. There is great reward in serving the Lord diligently. Not only will we rule and reign with Him at the renewal of all things; we will also receive a hundred times as much of whatever we seem to have lost for His sake, and inherit eternal life too. HALLELUYAH!
It is also not the case that Christianity is against wealth as Peter might have been thinking. The idea is to lose yourself for the sake of Christ so that you may gain LIFE, and all the other things shall be added unto you.
Rich people often justify their position in God by their own wealth; thinking God must be pleased with them for entrusting so much in their care.
There is also the temptation to view one’s possessions as blessings from God, probably for how good they have been. With time, they unconsciously begin to substitute God with wealth. All their aspirations, security and source of power lies within their wealth and not God. A command to lose all their possession for the sake of Christ will be devastating. NO WONDER THE RICH MAN WALKED AWAY SAD.
But you, continue to serve the Lord diligently day and night — be spent for His sake. Great is your reward here on earth and in the life to come. Jesus is faithful; He will not forget your labour of love! (Heb 6: 10)
BEGIN TO PRAY NOW. ASK FOR A STEADFAST HEART THAT IS NOT MOVED BY THE PRESSURES AND PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD except to do the will of the Master. He is the rewarder of all who diligently seek Him (Heb 11: 6). He will replenish your loss a hundred fold! See you at church.
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