財主尋求永生之道
（太19‧16－30；路18‧18－30）
17耶穌出來行路的時候，有一個人跑來，跪在他面前，問他說：「良善的夫子，我當做甚麼事才可以承受永生？」 18耶穌對他說：「你為甚麼稱我是良善的？除了神一位之外，再沒有良善的。 19誡命你是曉得的：不可殺人；不可姦淫；不可偷盜；不可作假見證；不可虧負人；當孝敬父母。」 20他對耶穌說：「夫子，這一切我從小都遵守了。」 21耶穌看着他，就愛他，對他說：「你還缺少一件：去變賣你所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上；你還要來跟從我。」 22他聽見這話，臉上就變了色，憂憂愁愁地走了，因為他的產業很多。
23耶穌周圍一看，對門徒說：「有錢財的人進神的國是何等地難哪！」 24門徒希奇他的話。耶穌又對他們說：「小子，倚靠錢財的人進神的國是何等地難哪！ 25駱駝穿過針的眼，比財主進神的國還容易呢。」 26門徒就分外希奇，對他說：「這樣誰能得救呢？」 27耶穌看着他們，說：「在人是不能，在神卻不然，因為神凡事都能。」 28彼得就對他說：「看哪，我們已經撇下所有的跟從你了。」 29耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們，人為我和福音撇下房屋，或是弟兄、姊妹、父母、兒女、田地， 30沒有不在今世得百倍的，就是房屋、弟兄、姊妹、母親、兒女、田地，並且要受逼迫，在來世必得永生。 31然而，有許多在前的，將要在後，在後的，將要在前。」
我們今天要分享的是關於一個有錢的少年人的故事，這個故事也記載在馬太福音和路加福音之中。這是一個相當重要的故事，關於金錢觀與財務管理，以及關於救恩的觀念。我在聖經教我的理財觀裡面會再次解釋，所以我這裡簡單的分享一下關於這個故事的真正含義和重點，因為我們必須要把它解的清楚，我們才不會誤導別人並誤導自己。
在馬太福音裡面記載的是有錢人，在路加福音裡記載的是一個少年官。總的來說，我們知道這個人又有錢又有權，而且他還年輕，就是所謂標準的人生勝利組。可是這裡很重要的一件事情，他還跑到耶穌面前，來跪在他面前說，夫子我當做什麼事才可以承受永生，他擁有一個追求真理的心，不因為已經擁有很多東西而驕傲，這是值得鼓勵的。
當他稱呼耶穌為良善的，耶穌回答他說，你為什麼稱我為良善的呢？這句話的本意並不是耶穌否認他自己並不良善，而是在跟他說，你怎麼知道我是良善的呢？良善的意思是道德和行為上都完美的狀態。這句話是給上帝專用的。耶穌並不是否認他所說的，而是覺得他竟然知道自己的身份而感到欣慰。
耶穌就開始問他說，誡命你都曉得的。
我們就看到這個少年官信心滿滿地回應：我都知道，而且我都遵守了。他的回應很好，我們看到了一個近乎完美的人：有錢，有權，年輕，而且還把誡命都守住了。可以說是一個在行為上和道德上都沒有問題的人。這樣的一個人，你還能要求什麼呢？
耶穌聽著他的回答，這裡出現了一句馬太和路加都沒有記載的話：就是耶穌看著他，就愛他。耶穌這個時候說對他的態度其實是非常的關鍵，因為在耶穌的這句話裡面有很多的含義在其中。首先，耶穌珍惜這一個人謙卑來到祂面前，祂對每一個來到祂面前的人都抱持著這樣的憐憫，祂要向這個人發出挑戰，讓他正視自己的問題。
但就在這時候，耶穌接下來的一句話就直接點出了他的問題。其實，也很可能是我們所有人都會面對的問題。耶穌說：你還缺少一件：變賣你所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上，你還要來跟從我。這句話中有三個重點。首先，變賣你所有的，就是把信心從地上的財寶移開，轉向到天上的財寶。而天上的財寶是什麼呢？對於基督徒來說，我們能夠賺取最大的財富，就是為上帝去贏得靈魂。而贏得靈魂的過程之中需要使用資源，金錢就是一個最好用的資源，最好的僕人。我們在地上的財寶不能帶到天上去，但是我們一生做的福音事工，分享過的對象，當我們在天國能夠遇見他們的時候，我們的滿足感勝過任何地上的財寶。這就是用地上的財寶換取天上的財寶。第三點，就是跟從耶穌。這裡耶穌所說的就是，你什麼都有了，你現在該做的事情就是把自己投身於天國的事工，做永恆有果效的工作。耶穌真是在引導他走上天國事奉之路。
而最後，耶穌卻只能看著他遠離的背影。這樣的凝望中，相信也有一種哀傷和遺憾。
今天同樣的耶穌不斷地在呼召人來跟隨祂，而我們又是怎麼回應祂的呼召呢？這裡我們看到這個有錢有權的年輕人猶豫了，他感到相當困難，因為他世上的東西太多了。這擁有豐富資源，可以為天國做大事的人，反而在這裡被他的財產給絆住了。在跟隨真理和隨從世界之中，他捨不得世界上的一切。垂頭喪氣地離開了。
就是這一個轉身離開，留下了千古的遺憾，我們不知道這個人後來有沒有回轉回來跟隨耶穌，哪怕是為天國的事工付出他的精神勞力和金錢，為他這一天的選擇悔改。但至少我們在這時候看見這個年輕人就與真理擦身而過了。
而耶穌接下來講的話，值得我們深思，並且深入了解。同樣的事件我們可以參考馬太福音和路加福音。在另外兩本福音書裡所說的話是 “有錢人進天國是何等難呢！”如果有的時候我們讀聖經沒有去讀仔細，或者是拿不同的版本來比對的話，我們容易按字面解經就會有斷章取義的危險，把自己誤導了，我會建議在讀經的時候你可以拿Amplified Version放大版聖經，這是英文的一個很好的版本，他會把很多字面的事情再解釋更清楚。 疑難的部分應該要多看幾本書，多看看解經書，這裡到底在講的是什麼。因為這會導致一個非常大的觀念的差距。
如果耶穌說的是有錢人進天國是何等難的話，那麼請問有錢人是什麼意思？多少錢叫有錢人呢？擁有多少財產是有錢人呢？其實如果是這樣子的話那麼亞伯拉罕就很麻煩了，那大衛王也不行了？或者是像創世紀的約瑟都不好了，因為他們都是國王或者是宰相或者是非常有錢的人，難道上帝是敵對錢財的嗎？很多時候我們在教會被教導的時候要我們清心寡欲，但並沒有要我們與錢財對立。我們可以擁有錢財，但是你不要被錢財控制，這才是關鍵的。往後我會在理財分享中解釋對金錢的態度。
耶穌的門徒裡面也有有錢的人有一個叫亞利馬太人約瑟是耶穌的門徒記載在約翰福音的19章和馬可福音的15章的這麼一個人。他把自己的墳墓讓出來給耶穌。還有另外一個叫做尼哥底母的人，他帶著沒藥跟跟沉香有100斤來（約翰福音19:38, 路加23:50），你知道要帶著100斤的香膏要多少錢嗎？這是一個非常大筆的財富，所以這些人都是懷著敬畏的心來到耶穌面前。難道這些人就因為有錢進不了天國嗎？並不是這樣子去講的。
在第24節特別講到倚靠錢財的人進神國是何等的難。在另外兩本福音書裡面也講到門徒都稀奇，問，這樣誰能得救呢？ 在猶太人的觀念中，有錢人是代表深受上帝喜愛的，所以才被賜予這麼多的金錢和財富。也包括在很多其他的文化中，通常有錢就代表有福氣，有錢就是好事情。所以當耶穌說出，有錢人進天國是難的，門徒相當驚訝，覺得如果連 “這麼蒙福的人都得救不了，那我們還能做什麼呢？”
耶穌這時候回了一句看似莫名其妙的話，在人不能，在神卻不然，因為神凡事都能。這是真正講到救恩的關鍵就在這一句話。人不能靠自己得救，人不能靠財富得救，不能靠我們自己的功勞得救，只有神能救。這一句話就是因信稱義，馬丁路德教改時所提到的重點。只有因信稱義Saved by grace與我們的功勞無關。
這樣講的精準：叫做有錢人想靠錢進天國是不可能的，You cannot buy your way into heaven。用錢買不到天國的門票。所以想要靠捐多少錢來積德換取救恩，這個思想是不對的。你捐再多錢也買不到自己的救恩。所以宗教改革時候，一個販賣贖罪券的行為就是被嚴重批評的，上帝的救恩不是金錢可以買的。而今天我們還是在強調好像捐越多錢的人就是越好的人，捐很多錢就是功德。但耶穌說的是，錢財買不到天國門票。
管理錢財要一個正確的觀念。錢財是好的僕人，但千萬不能把錢財變成我們的主人。我們要是成為善用錢財的管家，而不是為錢財工作的奴僕。我們要使用錢財，而不是害怕錢財。 基督徒可以擁有財富，但不要被財富控制，這才是真正的關鍵。人最大的弱點就是貪念，如果我們能夠正確的認識錢財這個工具的話，我們的人生我們的事工都可以做得更好。感謝各位的聆聽，我們明天來看門徒訓練的故事。
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?”Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.
You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,”he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
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.”
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
“Truly I tell you,”Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel
will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Today, we're going to share a story about a rich young man, a story found in both the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. This story is significant, touching on perspectives on wealth, financial management, and concepts of salvation. I'll elaborate more on the financial principles taught in the Bible in my financial education courses. Here, I'll briefly share the true meaning and key points of this story, as it's crucial to understand it clearly to avoid misleading others and ourselves.
In the Gospel of Matthew, he is referred to as a rich man, while in the Gospel of Luke, he's described as a young ruler. In essence, we know he was wealthy, powerful, and young — the epitome of success in life. However, the crucial point here is that he approached Jesus, kneeling before him, asking, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" He possessed a heart seeking truth, not proud of his possessions, which is commendable.
When he called Jesus "good," Jesus responded, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good." Jesus wasn't denying His own goodness but rather questioning the young man's understanding of what is good. Goodness implies moral and behavioral perfection, a quality reserved for God. Jesus didn't deny what he said but was pleased that the young man recognized His divine nature.
Jesus then asked him about the commandments, to which the young ruler confidently replied that he had kept them all. His response was commendable, seemingly perfect in both behavior and morality. What more could you ask for in a person?
However, Jesus, looking at him, said something not recorded in Matthew or Luke: "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." This statement contains three key points: Firstly, selling everything symbolizes shifting focus from earthly treasures to heavenly ones. Secondly, the treasure in heaven refers to the souls won for God, the ultimate wealth for Christians. Finally, following Jesus means dedicating oneself to eternal, fruitful work for the kingdom. Jesus was guiding him towards a path of heavenly service.
In the end, Jesus could only watch as the young man walked away. In that gaze, there was likely a sense of sadness and regret.
Today, Jesus continues to call people to follow Him, and how do we respond to His call? Here, we see this wealthy and powerful young man hesitating because he had too much in the world. Ironically, a person with abundant resources who could do great things for the kingdom was hindered by his possessions. He couldn't let go of everything in the world to follow the truth and serve God. He left disheartened.
His turning away left a timeless regret. We don't know if he later repented and returned to follow Jesus, even if it meant dedicating his resources and spiritual labor to the kingdom. But at least at that moment, this young man missed encountering the truth.
What Jesus said next is worth pondering and delving into. The same event can be found in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. In the other two Gospels, Jesus says, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" Sometimes, when we read the Bible without careful consideration or compare different versions, we risk misinterpreting it, as I would recommend using the Amplified Version of the Bible when reading. This version provides clearer explanations of many literal matters. It's essential to delve into what the Bible is really saying because it can lead to a significant difference in understanding.
If Jesus said it's hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven, what does "rich" mean? How much money does one need to be considered rich? If that's the case, then Abraham would have a problem, or even King David. Would figures like Joseph from Genesis be in trouble too? They were all kings or very wealthy individuals. Does God oppose wealth? Often, in churches, we're taught to be content but not to oppose wealth. We can have wealth, but we shouldn't be controlled by it; that's the key. I'll explain more about the attitude towards money in future financial education sessions.
Among Jesus' disciples were wealthy individuals, such as Joseph of Arimathea, mentioned in John 19 and Mark 15, who offered his tomb to Jesus. Then there's another figure, Nicodemus, who brought 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes (John 19:38, Luke 23:50). Do you know how much money 75 pounds of ointment would cost? It's a significant fortune. These individuals approached Jesus with reverence. Does being wealthy mean one can't enter the kingdom of heaven? It's not about wealth in that sense.
In verse 24, it particularly emphasizes how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God. In the other two Gospels, the disciples were amazed and asked, "Who then can be saved?" At this point, Jesus responded with what seemed inexplicable: "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." This is the key to salvation. It's not by our efforts or wealth but by faith. This statement underscores the essence of being saved by grace, as emphasized by Martin Luther during the Reformation. It's all about faith, and our efforts are irrelevant.
To put it succinctly: it's impossible for the rich to buy their way into heaven. You cannot buy your way into heaven. Money cannot buy tickets to heaven. So, the idea of accumulating merit through donations is wrong. No matter how much money you donate, you cannot buy your salvation. That's why the selling of indulgences during the Reformation was heavily criticized; salvation cannot be bought with money. Yet, today, we still emphasize that the more you donate, the better person you are, and that donating a lot of money is virtuous. But Jesus said, money cannot buy tickets to heaven.
Having a correct understanding of managing wealth is crucial. Money is a good servant but a terrible master. We should be stewards who use money wisely, not servants enslaved by money. We should use money, not fear it. Christians can possess wealth, but they shouldn't be controlled by it; that's the real key. Greed is humanity's greatest weakness. If we can understand money correctly as a tool, our lives and ministries can be much better. Thank you all for listening, and we'll delve into the disciples' training story tomorrow.
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