A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

CAN A RICH PERSON GET INTO HEAVEN?      

Matthew 19:23-26 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 

Can a rich person get into heaven? It all depends? It does not depend upon that person’s wealth. It does not depend upon a person’s title, prestige, community standing, etc. As yesterday’s devotion said, Heaven is not for sale, so no matter how rich a person is, they cannot use any of their wealth or even all of it to buy their way into heaven. 

The rich man in yesterday’s devotion did not attempt to purchase his way into heaven with his wealth. He thought he deserved getting into heaven because of his living a good, moral, upstanding. Surely God would want him in heaven. He deserved it. 

Jesus teaches in today’s lesson a puzzling lesson. He infers that it is as possible for a rich man to get into heaven as it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. That would mean, it would seem, a rich person cannot get into heaven. That was not Jesus’ point. 

The key words of Jesus in answer to today’s question is found in the last sentence of today’s devotional verses, ““With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” It is no different for a prince than it is for a pauper as to how they will get into heaven. Getting into heaven is not purchased, deserved, or earned. It is God’s gift. God can give the gift of everlasting life to whoever He chooses. He has declared in the Gospel there is only one way to get into heaven. It is by His undeserved love and gracious gift of faith in His Son that you get into heaven. All things are possible with God, even your salvation through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.   

Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your unbelievable love and mercy toward me a sinner. For Your forgiveness of my sins through Your Son’s shed blood, I praise you. For the faith You have given me in Your Son that assures me of my place with You and all the saints in heaven, I glorify Your Holy name. Amen. 

Through Jesus’ blood and merit I am at peace with God.  
What, then, can daunt my spirit, However dark my road?  
My courage shall not fail me, For God is on my side;  
Though hell itself assail me, Its rage I may deride. 

There’s nothing that can sever From this great love of God;  
No want, no pain whatever, No famine, peril, flood.  
Though thousand foes surround me, For slaughter mark His sheep,  
They never shall confound me, The vict’ry I shall reap. 

For neither life’s temptation Nor death’s most trying hour  
Nor angels of high station Nor any other pow’r  
Nor things that now are present Nor things that are to come  
Nor height, however pleasant, Nor darkest depths of gloom 

Nor any creature ever Shall from the love of God  
This ransomed sinner sever; For in my Savior’s blood  
This love has its foundation; God hears my faithful prayer  
And long before creation Named me His child and heir.  

Through Jesus' Blood and Merit // LSB 746