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Luke 6:24
In Luke 6:20 (NKJV) Jesus states, “Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.” Jesus contrasts that statement with Luke 6:24 stating, “But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation.” As we must realize our need for Jesus and the need to follow God’s will for our lives, the “rich” in this passage are referring to those who have grown arrogant and prideful in the false security of their financial situation. They have placed their trust and faith in the things of this world; in this case, money or their financial security. For these people who have placed their faith in worldly things, their reward/consolation is their status received from society. For without Jesus, they will have no place in the kingdom of God.
This is a promise that by placing our faith in worldly things, there will be no reward/consolation in heaven.
This is an example that possessing earthly things cannot get us into heaven.
This is a promise and example that we must put our faith/belief in Jesus by first realizing our need for Him and then accepting Him into our hearts as our Savior.
You may want to receive this teaching as simply being rich or poor financially. But if we were to do that, we would be discussing only the secular things of this world. Just by being poor financially does not get a free pass to heaven. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” In this statement there is no mention of financial or social status. Jesus proclaims in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Dear Lord,
Please help us to see that earthly things are of no heavenly value. We cannot have enough of riches or social status to earn our way into heaven. Satan tries to use these things to keep us away from realizing the need to experience a relationship with You through salvation in Your Son Jesus Christ. Please help us to put and keep our focus on You as Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:31-33, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Please help us to see the need for Jesus in our lives as He states in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” In Jesus name I pray, amen.