When you think about any type of sports, we know that the outcome will be that someone is the winner, and someone is the loser.
We keep up with the statistics and route for our favorites to keep winning.
But we know the unexpected can happen.
A team that was on a winning streak, begins to lose.
They have put too much trust in their ways and fail to adjust to help turn things around.
A team that was on a losing streak, begins to win.
They have taken the time to look at their situation and make the changes needed to improve.
They can see how the effects of confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline plays a role in how they succeed.
With any sport, we want to finish on top.
Our status in life is looked at in a similar fashion.
We think that the winners (those that are rich) will keep winning in life.
That those who are poor (those that are less fortunate) will keep losing in life.
This is not always the case.
It was a powerful blow to the disciples when they heard Jesus say. “That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (v23)
These words turned everything upside down.
How could being rich (a winner) be a barrier?
Keeping them for entering the kingdom.
Some rich people tend to think they are better than others and can do whatever they want, because of their status in society.
They feel that they will always be in the lead.
That they will always be given what they want.
It becomes impossible for a man that sets his heart upon his riches, to trust in God.
They are trusting more in their earthly possessions.
Christ warns how being a person who is strong-willed and attached to his earthly possessions, will cause them to ignore what God is trying to tell him.
They fail to see what changes they need to make to be true winners in the end.
Nothing less than the almighty grace of God will enable a rich man to get over this difficulty.
No matter how we are positioned in society, He is looking at how much we trust Him and live according to the Word.
Let us not trust in promising appearances or outward professions. They are only temporary.
Keep the faith.
In God’s kingdom, there are no losers, only winners.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Lord, we Thank You for giving us the faith we need to rest our hopes on the promises in the Word. Knowing that no matter the situation we find ourselves in, we shall be ready for every service or sacrifice. Because we endured until the end, we have an ending resulting in our being victorious and winners in Your eyes.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen