Matthew 17 – 19
Sometimes scripture makes complete and total sense and other times it confuses me. These chapters do both. We tend to look at God through two view points, one is through the eyes of a poor person receiving blessings in heaven and the other is a person receiving blessings here on earth.
Before we dissect the idea of our finances and God, let’s look at how Jesus was presented to Peter, James and John in verse 17:5:
He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
They fell on their faces in awe, but were quickly told by Jesus to “rise, and have no fear.” We need to be in awe that Jesus is God’s “beloved Son,” but at the same time be able to function and do the work of God. We need to honor Him, but not get stuck in the glory and become apoplectic. Often times we do this where we spend more time on our faces worshiping the Lord and less time doing His work.
Ever notice how as children we accepted things more on faith than as adults. When our parents said it was so, we had faith that it was. As we got older, our rebellious nature kicks in and we start to question things. I am not saying that is not good, but we must apply faith like a child to have glory in heaven, as shown in 18:3 & 4:
and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
As we turn our faith as a child and as we mature, God reveals himself to us so our faith becomes more fact filled. My belief God is real started as a faithful journey and now has become solid fact in my brain. I entered the relationship early on with faith that all this stuff was true.
There are so many parables that have lasting impact in these chapter, one needs to dwell on each one. The parable of “the Unforgiving Servant” is one that hits me in more ways than one, first I look at it was a way we deal with finances. If we are blessed or receive forgiveness we need to “pay it forward” in order to show thanks for that gift. First the man was effectively given a clean slate and could move forward. The first thing he did was not pay that forward and return the favor, this cost him dearly in the end.
Verse 18:35 sums up the way God deals with us:
So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” from the “Lord’s Prayer” is a pivotal point Jesus wants to make here. We need to understand “forgiveness” in the heart and demonstrate here in this world, before we can expect God to grant the same to us. This haunts me more than most things since I hold onto pain and angst for long periods of time without realizing it or sometimes even showing it.
Jesus ends these chapters with the parable of the “Rich Man” in 19:16-30. This is one that is difficult for me to comprehend since Jesus is asking this man to sell it all and give it away. As much benevolence I may appear to show, I can submit to 10% but am struggling with everything. I think the point here is not literally doing this, but to not allow money to be the controlling interest in your life. Sure it “implies” that the poor shall be more important than the rich in heaven, as said in verse 36:
But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Notice the word “many” and not all. The key here is if you are well off, don’t think it’s all for you and about you. Give freely and use your resources in IMPACT others for the benefit of the kingdom. (Interestingly, I just noticed my shirt this morning has the word IMPACT boldly printed on it) Talk to the “few” and you will find the more they give, the more they seem to get. It’s a very common theme in scripture and in life.