Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man
hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth
that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly
pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price [value WU], went and sold all that
he had, and bought it. Mat
13:44-46 Give up your ungodly ways, and self-indulgent excesses. (Click gold Scripture references for Principle Interrelations)
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren [brothers], and sisters, yea [yes], and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth [does] not bear his cross, and come after [follow WU] me, cannot be my disciple. Lk 14:26-27
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath [has], he cannot be my disciple. Lk 14:33 So count the cost of following Jesus before you get started.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care[s] of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. Mat 13:18-23 (From the parable of the sower.) The things we need to give up but won't give up, choke the life of God out of us.
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that [what] thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily [most assuredly] I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly [with difficulty] enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Mat 19:16-26 Happiness with the Lord is worth more than riches. Perhaps the rich should ask God to help them see this, because t hey need help if they are ever going to make it into the kingdom. A person needs to have a soft, loving, giving heart to be in God's kingdom; one reflecting repentance and a change from the old self-centered, proud, hard ways. One which is borne out by actions; though your own attempts may be imperfect, God will make it work as you believe in Jesus; nothing is impossible for God.
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken [left] all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily [most assuredly] I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration [at the renewal of all things WU] when the Son of man shall sit in [on] the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken [left] houses, or brethren [brothers], or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Mat 19:27-29
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