"Kon Sa Mga Tawo Lang Indi Gid Ini Mahimo, Pero Sa Dios Ang Tanan Nga Butang Mahimo"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 19:23-30)

Gani nagsiling si Jesus sa iya mga sumulunod, "Sa pagkamatuod, mabudlay sa isa ka manggaranon nga magpasakop sa paghari sang Dios.

Mas mahapos pa nga mag-agi ang sapat nga kamelyo sa buho sang dagom sang sa magpasakop ang manggaranon sa paghari sang Dios."

Pagkabati sadto sang iya mga sumulunod, natingala gid sila. Gani nagpamangkot sila, "Ti kon amo sina, sin-o na lang ang maluwas?"

Gintulok sila ni Jesus kag ginsilingan, "Kon sa mga tawo lang indi gid ini mahimo, pero sa Dios ang tanan nga butang mahimo."

Dayon nagsiling si Pedro sa iya, "Ti kami, ginbayaan namon ang tanan kag nagsunod sa imo. Karon, ano bala ang amon mabaton nga balos?"

Nagsiling si Jesus sa ila, "Sa pagkamatuod, magaabot ang adlaw nga bag-uhon sang Dios ang kalibutan nga ini, kag ako nga Anak sang Tawo magapungko sa akon trono agod maghari. Sa sina nga adlaw, kamo nga nagsunod sa akon magapungko sa dose ka trono agod hukman ninyo ang dose ka tribo sang Israel.

Kag ang bisan sin-o nga nagbiya sa iya balay, iya mga utod, iya amay, iya iloy, iya mga bata, ukon iya duta tungod sa akon magabaton sang madamo pa gid nga balos, kag magapanubli sang kabuhi nga wala sing katapusan.

Madamo nga dungganon karon nga sa ulihi mangin kubos, kag madamo nga kubos karon nga sa ulihi mangin dungganon."

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Meditation:

Was Jesus really against wealth? And why does he issue such a strong warning to the rich (as well as to the rest of us who desire to be rich)? We know that Jesus was not opposed to wealth per se, nor was he opposed to the wealthy. He had many friends who were well-to-do, including some notorious tax collectors! One even became an apostle! Jesus' warning reiterated the wisdom of the Old Testament: "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways" (Proverbs 28:6; see also Psalm 37:16). "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist" (Proverbs 23:4). Jesus seems to say that it is nearly impossible for the rich to live as citizens of God's kingdom. The camel was regarded as the largest animal in Palestine. The "eye of the needle" could be interpreted quite literally or it could figuratively describe the narrow and low gate of the city walls which was used by travellers when the larger public gate was locked after dark. A normal sized man had to "lower" himself to enter that gate. A camel would literally have to kneel and crawl through it.

Why is Jesus so cautious about wealth? Wealth can make us falsely independent. The church at Laodicea was warned about their attitude towards wealth and a false sense of security: "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" (Revelations 3:17). Wealth can also lead us into hurtful desires and selfishness (see 1 Timothy 6:9-10). Look at the lesson Jesus gave about the rich man and his sons who refused to aid the poor man Lazarus (see Luke 16:19ff). They also neglected to serve God. The scriptures give us a paradox: we lose what we keep and we gain what we give away. Generosity will be amply repaid, both in this life and in eternity (Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 6:38). Jesus offers us an incomparable treasure which no money can buy and no thief can steal. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. Material wealth will shackle us to this earth unless we guard our hearts and set our treasure in God and his everlasting kingdom. Where is your treasure?

"Lord Jesus, you have captured our hearts and opened to us the treasures of heaven. May you always be my treasure and delight and may nothing else keep me from giving you my all."