Why It’s Hard for Jesus to Save Rich People

Series: King Jesus

Sermon Title: Why It’s Hard for Jesus to Save Rich People

Speaker: Sam Rainer

Date: September 8, 2024

Reflect

If you won the lottery today, what is the first thing you would buy or do? Would you find it hard to give it all away if asked? Why or why not?
Do you think wealth always leads to happiness? Why or why not? Share a time when having or not having money influenced your mood or decisions.

What did the rich young ruler misunderstand about the way to eternal life, according to Matthew 19:16-30?
Why does Jesus use the analogy of a camel going through the eye of a needle? What point is He trying to make about wealth and salvation?
Compare Matthew 19:16-30 with Luke 12:16-21 (the Parable of the Rich Fool). How do both passages address the theme of trusting in wealth rather than God?

What are some ways we might be relying on our own resources or abilities rather than trusting fully in God? How can we shift our mindset and actions to reflect trust in Him?
As a church, how can we collectively prioritize God’s kingdom over material wealth and comfort? What practical steps can we take together?

How does Jesus’ radical call to “give up everything” make you feel? What might this look like in your own life?
Why do you think Jesus emphasized surrender so strongly in His teachings? How does surrender relate to trust in God?
How can we encourage each other to pursue “treasure in heaven” rather than earthly wealth? What practical steps can we take?

The Camel and the Needle: The “camel through the eye of a needle” phrase was a common idiom of the time, emphasizing the extreme difficulty (or impossibility) of a task. There is no historical evidence of a “Needle Gate” in Jerusalem; it’s simply a colorful way to illustrate a point.
The Camel and the Needle: The “camel through the eye of a needle” phrase was a common idiom of the time, emphasizing the extreme difficulty (or impossibility) of a task. There is no historical evidence of a “Needle Gate” in Jerusalem; it’s simply a colorful way to illustrate a point.
Misconceptions About the Rich Young Ruler: The rich young ruler is often seen as a moral, admirable person, but his failure to recognize his own sin and his attachment to his wealth reveal his misunderstanding of what it means to truly follow Jesus.

Luke 12:16-21 (Parable of the Rich Fool): This passage highlights the folly of placing trust in wealth rather than in God, which parallels the message of Matthew 19:16-30.
Luke 14:33: “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” This verse echoes Jesus’ call to the rich young ruler to give up his wealth for the sake of following Him.
Acts 2:21: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” This passage provides the promise of salvation on God’s terms, aligning with Jesus’ teachings that salvation is not achieved by human merit.
Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” This passage speaks directly to the choice between earthly and heavenly treasures.
Philippians 3:7-8: Paul speaks of considering all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, which reinforces the idea of finding ultimate value in Jesus above all else.