Matthew 19:23

“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.’ “

This is such a strong and almost terminal statement from the Lord Jesus, and I almost want to pray against ever having wealth. However, the ray of hope lies in that He said, “it is hard,” not that it is impossible. But why is it hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom? I think the reason lies in the alluring deception of riches.

Wealth sneaks into the heart and colonizes it. Wealth enters in subtly and becomes king. Wealth easily demands total loyalty and obeisance, putting the Lord God in second place. They who love God and have wealth must deal with the daily battle of resisting servitude to wealth. Mammon is a spirit, and as with all ungodly spirits, mammon stands in direct opposition to the worship of Jesus but instead makes the worship of wealth an end in itself. However, it is possible to have wealth and worship God. Not all rich folks worship mammon. For those who are privileged to be wealthy, they need to see wealth management as a stewardship from God, and therefore, they never have the sense of ownership of the riches. Wealth is deceitful, and many who have wealth live in bondage to it; but praise God who gives us victory over the spirit of mammon, if we let Him circumcise our hearts and worship.

“Lord, don’t give me any wealth that will take my heart away from You. Grant me wealth only in the accompaniment of great grace, so that I may be Your steward to manage and disburse Your assets, and never own it in myself. This I ask for, in Jesus name. Amen.”