Daily Devotional for November 29

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November 29                                               Matthew 19:23-30

              "... it is easier for a camel to go through
           the eye of a needle than for a rich person to
                          enter the realm of God."
 

Today Jesus teaches us that the pursuit of wealth and the pur-
suit of God's reign are incompatible.

It is not that money in itself is bad. The problem is the subtle
way that wealth influences and shapes our attitudes, for wealth
feeds the illusion of control, security, and self-sufficiency. We
begin to think, "...I am rich, I have prospered, and I need
nothing" even when we may in fact be spiritually "wretched,
pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." (Revelation 3:17) Wealth leads
us to proclaim, "Blessed are the rich;" but Jesus says, "Blessed
are you poor, for yours is the realm of God." (Luke 6:20) Wealth
leads us to proclaim, "Woe to you that are poor;" but Jesus
says, "...woe to you that are rich, for you have received your
consolation." (Luke 6:24) Wealth leads us to proclaim, "The
wealthy shall be first;" but Jesus says, "Many that are first will
be last, and the last first." It is as if wealth turns reality upside-
down, on its head.

"No servant can serve two masters; for the servant will either
hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke
16:13) Jesus is uncompromising on this point.

Today's Gospel is an invitation to choose God and to renounce
the false values that wealth engenders. In return, Jesus promises
eternal life, which is the knowledge of God. Is that not why
we chose to follow Christ in the first place?

Therefore, "... choose this day whom you will serve... but
as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh." Joshua 24:15)

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From The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C.