THE PATH TO ‘GREAT WEALTH’ FOR A YOUNG PERSON
As we know, there are three stages in human life: Childhood, Youth, and Old Age. The stage at which a person is most likely to make the pivotal decisions about the future of their life is Youth. The Bible says in Jeremiah 21:8b: “…Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.” These two paths are placed before a person when they reach the stage of youth. This is when wisdom and God’s guidance are absolutely necessary to choose the right path.
In Scripture, we can observe two distinct examples of young men who made key decisions that shaped their future. By reflecting on their stories, we can gain insights into how the choices made in youth can impact not just the present, but eternity.
THE FIRST YOUTH: THE RICH YOUNG RULER
Matthew 19:16-22 (NKJV)
“16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’
17 So He said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’
18 He said to Him, ‘Which ones?’ Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness,
19 Honor your father and mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
20 The young man said to Him, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’
21 Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
This young man, often referred to as the “Rich Young Ruler,” came to Jesus seeking the key to eternal life. He was sincere in his question and genuinely believed that keeping the commandments was not enough. Yet, when asked to forsake his wealth to follow Jesus, he was unable to do so. The Bible tells us he went away sorrowful because he had great possessions.
Theologically, this passage highlights the tension between earthly wealth and spiritual treasure. Jesus didn’t condemn wealth, but He pointed out that wealth can easily become an idol, a barrier between us and God. Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” The young man loved his wealth more than he loved the eternal treasures Christ offered, revealing that his heart was not truly set on eternal life.
Theologically, this passage calls us to examine our hearts: What do we love most? 1 Timothy 6:9-10 warns, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil…”
Had the young man made the right choice, he would have received eternal life and far greater riches than anything this world could offer. Jesus promised that anyone who forsakes all for His sake will receive a hundredfold in this life and inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:29). But the young man failed to grasp that Mark 8:36 reminds us, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
THE SECOND YOUTH: MOSES
Now let’s consider Moses, a young man who made the opposite choice. He grew up in Pharaoh’s palace, enjoying the privileges of royalty. However, when he came of age, he chose to identify with the enslaved people of Israel rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of Egypt.
Hebrews 11:24-27 (NKJV)
“24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
Moses had the wealth and status of Egypt at his fingertips, but he chose to endure suffering with God’s people. He regarded the reproach of Christ as greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. This highlights the principle that true wealth is found in Christ alone, and not in earthly treasures or positions of power.
Hebrews 11:26 is theologically significant because it connects Moses’ choice to “the reproach of Christ.” This is a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice that Christ would make on the cross. Moses, in his time, saw the eternal reward of being associated with God’s people and identified with Christ’s suffering, despite not knowing the full scope of Christ’s work.
Moses’ story is a powerful reminder that the kingdom of God offers an eternal reward that far outweighs the transient pleasures and wealth of this world. Moses is counted among the heroes of faith because he endured hardships for a future promise, just as we are called to do. The Bible reminds us in Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
THE LESSON: WORLDLY WEALTH VS. SPIRITUAL TREASURE
The contrast between these two young men—one who chose earthly wealth and one who chose spiritual wealth—teaches us profound theological truths about what it means to follow Christ. The call of Jesus to “follow Me” is a call to forsake all else, not because God wants to take away our joy, but because He knows that true joy is found in His presence, not in the fleeting pleasures of this world.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus teaches:
“19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
This passage is theologically significant because it reveals the true nature of wealth: eternal treasures are imperishable, unlike material wealth that is temporary and can be lost. The riches of the kingdom of God are far greater than anything this world can offer. Matthew 13:44 says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
Theologically, this calls us to reorient our priorities. What do we value most in life? Is it wealth, status, pleasure, or the Kingdom of God? If we are to be disciples of Christ, we must be willing to follow Him, just as Moses and the apostles did, counting everything else as loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8).
CONCLUSION: THE DECISION YOU MUST MAKE
Just like the young man in Matthew 19 and Moses, we too are faced with decisions that will determine the trajectory of our lives. The choice to follow Christ is not always easy, and it may require us to give up things we hold dear, but the rewards are far greater than anything this world can offer.
As young people, this is the time to make the right choice. In Ecclesiastes 12:1, the Bible says:
Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.
And in Lamentations 3:26, we are encouraged:
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth.
Making the right decision now will set the course for your future, both in this life and in the life to come. My prayer is that you will choose wisely, just as Moses did, and store up treasures in heaven.
THE THUNDERING VOICE?
John 12:28-30 (NKJV)
“28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.”
In this passage, we see a heavenly voice speaking to Jesus, and yet the people around Him misunderstand it. Some think it’s just thunder, while others believe an angel spoke. This is a powerful example of how the voice of God can be perceived differently depending on the spiritual condition of the listener.
The Bible as God’s Voice
The Bible is described as the voice of God in written form. It is the revealed Word of God, not merely a collection of ancient stories or ethical guidelines. Before it was written, the Word was spoken by God’s Spirit. This is clear from the way the Bible speaks of itself in 2 Timothy 3:16:
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
The inspiration of Scripture means that God Himself is the ultimate author. The Apostle Peter also emphasizes this in his second epistle:
2 Peter 1:21 (NKJV)
For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
So, when we read the Bible, it is the voice of God we are hearing, yet we need the Holy Spirit to help us understand it properly.
The Voice Behind the Thunder
The Bible often speaks with a thunderous tone, especially in parts of Scripture that are hard to understand or that contain difficult truths. To the untrained ear, it can seem like “thunder,” as the people in John 12 mistook the divine voice for mere noise. This points to the necessity of divine revelation to understand the Scriptures.
In 1 Corinthians 2:14, Paul highlights this reality:
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
Without the Holy Spirit, the Word of God is just a foreign language, a “thunder” to our ears. But when the Spirit opens our hearts and minds, we begin to hear the very voice of God speaking directly to us.
The Bible as a Sealed Book
The Bible itself is described as a “sealed book” that can only be opened by the Spirit of God. This is consistent with what we read in Daniel 12:4 and Revelation 10:4, where both Daniel and John are told to seal up certain things in their visions until the proper time, indicating that understanding these prophecies requires divine intervention.
Daniel 12:4 (NKJV)
But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
Revelation 10:4 (NKJV)
Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.
These passages highlight that some things in God’s Word are hidden from plain sight and require the Spirit of God to reveal. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are able to understand the mysteries of God.
Understanding Parables and Mysteries of the Kingdom
Jesus frequently spoke in parables to convey profound spiritual truths, but only those with ears to hear could understand their meaning. After telling the parable of the sower, Jesus’ disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables. His response points directly to the need for divine revelation and understanding:
Matthew 13:10-16 (NKJV)
“10 And the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’
11 He answered and said to them, ‘Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.
Jesus explains that spiritual understanding is not something that comes naturally—it is a gift from God. The disciples were given the ability to understand because they were open to the Spirit’s leading. The crowds, however, were blinded because they were not seeking to understand, and their hearts had become hardened.
In Mark 4:11-12, Jesus makes this even clearer:
Mark 4:11-12 (NIV)
He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside, everything is said in parables so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.
This is a direct quote from Isaiah 6:9-10, and it shows that God’s Word can either illuminate or blind, depending on the receptivity of the listener.
The Need for Spiritual Discernment
As we read the Scriptures, we must approach them with a heart that is open to the Holy Spirit. The Bible is more than just a book; it is the living Word of God, as described in Hebrews 4:12:
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Without the Spirit of God, the Bible remains just words on a page, but when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, it becomes the voice of God speaking into our lives, convicting, teaching, and transforming us.
Seek to Hear God’s Voice
If you read the Bible and your life doesn’t change, it may be because you’re only hearing the thunder, not the voice of God. True understanding comes from a heart that is willing to listen to God and be transformed by His Word. James 1:22 urges us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers:
James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
When you hear the Word of God, let it penetrate your heart, and let the Spirit give you understanding. That’s when you’ll hear the voice of God clearly, and it will change your life.
Conclusion: Open Your Heart
Brothers and sisters, don’t treat God’s Word lightly. The Bible is more than a storybook—it is the living, breathing voice of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to understand it deeply. When you do, you’ll begin to hear God speaking directly to you, not as thunder, but as a clear, life-changing voice.
Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
May you open your heart today to hear God’s voice, and may it transform your life to reflect His glory.
THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF JESUS
The New Testament consistently emphasizes the importance of baptism performed in the name of Jesus Christ. In Acts 2:38, Peter instructs, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Similarly, in Acts 8:16, it is noted that the Samaritans “had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 10:48 recounts Peter commanding Cornelius and his household to be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ.” Furthermore, Acts 19:5 describes disciples of John the Baptist being baptized “into the name of the Lord Jesus.”
These passages underscore the apostolic practice of baptizing in the name of Jesus, aligning with Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19 to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The apostles, guided by the revelation of Jesus’ identity, understood the singular name that encompasses the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to be Jesus. Thus, they baptized in His name, reflecting the unity and authority of the Godhead.
The act of baptism in Jesus’ name signifies the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4 states, “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” This passage highlights baptism as a means of participating in the redemptive work of Jesus, symbolizing the believer’s cleansing from sin and the commencement of a new life in Him.
THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF INFANT BAPTISM
Infant baptism is a practice observed in various Christian traditions; however, the New Testament does not provide explicit examples of infants being baptized. Baptism, as depicted in Scripture, is closely associated with personal repentance and faith. In Acts 2:38, Peter calls individuals to “repent and be baptized,” indicating that baptism follows a conscious decision to turn from sin. Similarly, in Acts 8:37, the Ethiopian eunuch professes, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” prior to his baptism. These instances suggest that baptism is intended for those capable of personal faith and repentance.
Furthermore, the New Testament emphasizes the necessity of personal decision in matters of salvation. In Romans 10:9, Paul writes, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This confession and belief presuppose an individual’s ability to understand and respond to the gospel message. Since infants are incapable of such understanding and decision-making, they do not meet the criteria for baptism as outlined in Scripture.
Additionally, the practice of infant baptism lacks direct biblical precedent. While some interpret passages like Acts 2:39, which speaks of the promise being “for you and your children,” as supporting infant baptism, this interpretation is debated. The context suggests that the promise is for all who are called by God, not specifically for infants. Therefore, the absence of explicit examples of infant baptism in the New Testament implies that the practice is not biblically mandated.
CONCLUSION
In summary, the New Testament presents baptism as an essential step in the believer’s faith journey, symbolizing repentance, identification with Christ’s death and resurrection, and the reception of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is to be administered in the name of Jesus Christ, reflecting the unity and authority of the Godhead. Infant baptism, however, lacks direct biblical support and does not align with the scriptural pattern of baptism following personal faith and repentance. Therefore, for those seeking to align closely with New Testament teachings, baptism should be administered to individuals who are capable of personal faith and repentance, and it should be performed in the name of Jesus Christ.
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UNTIL THE FULFILLMENT OF THE NATIONS COMES
The grace that we, the people of the nations, now enjoy didn’t originate with us. It was first extended to Israel, but when it was taken from them due to their rejection, it was given to us. Israel, as God’s chosen people, was meant to experience the fullness of God’s salvation, yet this was delayed due to their rejection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Israel’s Rejection and God’s Plan for the Nations
Israel had already reached the height of enjoying the blessings of God’s salvation, which was to come through the Messiah, the Savior they had awaited for centuries. Jesus Christ, the promised Savior, came to redeem Israel from sin and oppression. However, they rejected Him as the Messiah, and instead of benefiting from the fruit of their labor and the fulfillment of their promises, they forfeited it.
When Jesus, the Savior of their souls, came, God allowed a spiritual blindness to fall upon them so that they could not recognize Him. This was done for a very specific purpose—to allow the nations (the Gentiles, like you and me) the opportunity to receive grace and salvation. As Paul writes in Romans 11:7-8, “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: ‘God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.”
God’s plan was to extend salvation to the Gentiles, drawing them into His covenant and kingdom. The rejection of Christ by Israel allowed the gospel to spread to the nations.
The Mystery of Israel’s Hardening
This blindness wasn’t permanent. The apostle Paul describes it as a temporary hardening that would last until the “fullness of the Gentiles” comes in. In Romans 11:25, Paul writes:
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
This period, during which the Gentiles are called into the kingdom, is a time of God’s mercy for the nations. Israel’s spiritual blindness was, and still is, the means by which salvation was made available to the Gentiles. But this blindness will not last forever. There will come a time when Israel’s eyes will be opened, and the nation will recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Savior they had once rejected.
The Paradox of Israel’s Rejection
Paul’s writing in Romans 11:11-12 illustrates the paradox of Israel’s rejection. He says,
I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
Through Israel’s failure to recognize Christ, salvation was extended to the nations. However, Paul also points out that Israel’s rejection was not permanent. The time will come when Israel will be restored and “jealous” of the salvation that the Gentiles now enjoy. Romans 11:12 goes on to say:
Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
The “fullness” of Israel refers to the time when all of Israel will come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. This will mark the final stage in God’s redemptive plan for humanity. The rejection of Christ by Israel is not the end but part of God’s sovereign plan to bring about the salvation of the nations.
The Olive Tree Parable: The Grafting of the Nations
The apostle Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to illustrate God’s dealings with Israel and the Gentiles. Israel is the cultivated olive tree, while the Gentiles are the wild olive branches. When Israel rejected the Messiah, God cut off some of the natural branches (Israel) and grafted in the wild branches (Gentiles) to partake in the blessings and promises given to Israel. Romans 11:17-18 says:
And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
This means that the Gentiles have no grounds for pride, as they are grafted into the blessings that originally belonged to Israel. They are partakers of God’s promises but must remain humble and faithful, understanding that they are supported by the root (God’s covenant with Israel). Paul warns that if God did not spare the natural branches (Israel), He may also not spare the Gentiles if they do not remain faithful.
Israel’s Restoration: God’s Promises Are Sure
The time will come when God will restore Israel to Himself. Romans 11:26-27 states:
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.
This is a prophecy that speaks of the national repentance of Israel. God will remove their spiritual blindness and bring them to faith in Jesus Christ. This prophecy is confirmed in Zechariah 12:10, where it says,
And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
This is the moment when Israel will recognize Jesus as their Messiah and mourn for having rejected Him. The Spirit of grace will be poured out upon them, and they will embrace Christ as their Savior.
The End Times: The Rapture and the Tribulation
The restoration of Israel will coincide with the closing of the age for the nations. Before this time, there will be a dramatic event known as the Rapture, where the church (the body of Christ) will be taken to meet the Lord in the air. This will signal the end of God’s dealings with the Gentiles. Following this, a time of tribulation will come upon the earth, during which the Antichrist will rise to power, and God’s wrath will be poured out on a world that has rejected Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 speaks about the Rapture:
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
During this time of tribulation, the Antichrist will deceive many, and the nations that rejected God will face judgment. However, Israel will be restored, and the kingdom of God will be established on earth.
The Urgency of Salvation
As believers in the gospel, we are called to share the message of salvation before the door of grace is closed. Jesus, in Luke 13:24, tells us,
Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Now is the time to receive the grace of God. The door of salvation is still open, but it will not remain open forever. 2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us:
For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Let us not delay, for the time is near. The Rapture could occur at any moment, and the nations’ opportunity for salvation is running out. God has extended His grace to us—let us receive it with open hearts.
