Then said Jesus to his disciples, Truly I say to you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

– Matthew 19:23

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

The Lord Jesus tells us that it’s hard for the rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Thinking it carefully, why the rich can hardly enter the kingdom of heaven? It is because they cannot let go of wealth and fleshly enjoyment. However, the same goes for us, the poor, if we cling to wealth, fame and fortune. Since once our hearts are occupied by money, there’s no place for God in our hearts. And we can only become more and more greedy, and be unable to practice the Lord’s words.

Just as God’s words said, “The more you satisfy the flesh, the more liberties it takes; if you satisfy it this time, next time it will ask for more, and as this carries on, you come to love the flesh even more. … Man’s flesh is like the snake: Its essence is to harm their lives—and when it completely gets its own way, your life becomes forfeit. The flesh belongs to Satan. Within it are extravagant desires, it thinks only for itself, it wants to enjoy comfort, and revel in leisure, wallowing in sloth and idleness, and having satisfied it to a certain point you will ultimately be eaten up by it. Which is to say, if you satisfy it this time, next time it will come asking for more. It always has extravagant desires and new demands, and takes advantage of your pandering to the flesh to make you cherish it even more and live among its comforts—and if you don’t overcome it, you will ultimately forfeit yourself.”

“That which you are enjoying today is the very thing which is ruining your future, whereas the pain you are suffering today is the very thing that is protecting you.”

From God’s words we can understand that man’s flesh is like the snake. The more we satisfy the flesh, the greater its desires become. The first time we fail to practice the truth for greedily enjoying the flesh, we may feel indebted; and the second time we fail to put the truth into practice for the same reason, there is still indebtedness in our hearts, but after a third time and a fourth time, we become unconscious, and there’s no indebtedness in our hearts. In this way, we lose the chance to be saved by God and enter the kingdom of heaven. It can be seen that only if we see through the essence of the flesh, practically cooperate with God, as well as pray to God for the resolution and courage to overcome fleshly desires and for the faith and perseverance to practice the truth can we truly forsake our flesh step by step. Amen!