THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE OF RICHES, POVERTY, BLESSINGS ADN SUFFERINGS IN LIFE

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21 Aug 2018 Tue
Sharing notes of key messages from Daily Gospel Reflections by the Most Rev Archbishop of Singapore Willian Goh

Matthew 19:23–30

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell 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 the disciples heard this 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.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold,* and inherit eternal life. 30 But many that are first will be last, and the last first.


Key messages from the Archbishops reflection today:

Jesus had come to change the values of the world and our understanding of how God works in our lives, giving a new perspective of riches, poverty, blessings and sufferings in life.
  • He said, “Many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”
  • To place our reliance on our riches, wealth, power and status in this life is to fall into the sin of pride.  We think that our success is due to our ingenuity, intelligence, skills and hard work.  We lack mercy for those who are poor, sick and less talented and successful than us.  We look down on them and despise them because they failed to be as good and successful as ourselves.
  • With all our riches, wealth and power, we cannot take a single cent beyond this life.
  • Life is not made secure by what we have.  
  • Jesus asks us to rely on God alone.  He is the author of life.  He is the One who determines our portion in life.  
  • God blesses us all in different ways.  More important than worldly wealth and status is good health and friendship.  The power that is given to the disciples is not over others but the power of love and service that brings true joy and freedom; real wealth that is not gold and silver but a family, a community and loved ones.  It is sharing, caring, loving and celebrating with each other that will bring real happiness.
  • The rich too can be saved but they must use their riches not for themselves but for the service of others, according to how God wants them to dispose of their wealth.  We are not the owners of what we have but only trustees and stewards.  When we use the money to make friends, we will become truly rich.  
  • For those who are poor or less fortunate, they can still be rich in love.  They can live a life of contentment and make use of what they have. Those who suffer now should not suffer with resentment but see them as opportunities for growth, detachment and purification of love so that when the time comes, they will find true happiness and joy with Christ in heaven.


 

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