This Article: (2 Pages)
- 1. Psalm 23 And the valley of the Shadow
- 2. Wealth and Trust in God
1) Psalm 23 And the valley of the Shadow
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
In context, the psalmist is speaking of when he is 'lead in the paths of righteousness'. It is in these paths that he walks in the shadow of death and experiences evil. Note the psalmist experiences evil but does not fear it. And the comfort is from God's presence in difficulty.
If you are comfortable, chances are that you are not doing anything. Our experience of the natural world reinforces a truth shown in the scriptures. When we are physically comfortable our muscles weaken. When we are thermally comfortable our bodies lose the ability to cope with thermal stress. It is when we are working physically we become strong physically.
Walking with Yahweh is the same. Nowhere does it say the reward for faithful work is a comfortable life now, or even in the future. The writer to the Hebrews speaks of faith as an exercise overcoming trouble through the ages into the writer's day of trouble, where the faithful endured much,
Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy).... (Hebrew 11:36-38)
Paul speaks to those at Corinth of his trials, rebuking them for being comfortable.
You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you. For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death.... We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor. Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place. We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure. Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now. I don't write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. (1Cor. 4:8-14)
Paul says to be wary of being “filled” and rich, not to be shamed when we are, but to understand the nature of the extreme discomfort of the work of preaching an unpopular message, as compared to the “strength” of wealth and comfort.
The most striking warning is from the uncompromising doctrine of Yahshua.
"But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation. Woe to you, you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. (Luke 6:24-25 WEB)
Did Yahshua say this to make those with wealth feel guilty or was he merely stating a truth? Was Yahshua being tough when he advised the young man to give up all this wealth?
Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross." But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, "How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!"
It is to be noted that this advice of Yahshua is given in love. What is it about riches that can prevent salvation? He continues
Jesus answered again, "Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God." They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus, looking at them, said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God."
Again we wonder why it would be so hard for the rich, but Peter gives the clue,
Peter began to tell him, "Behold, we have left all, and have followed you." Jesus said, "Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last first." (Mark 10:21-31)
This particular account adds a clarification that Yahshua made to the disciples, that it is difficult for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom. Yahshua does not say it is impossible, but rather that it is difficult for them to leave what they are doing to work for him due to this trust in their riches. Hence, they now are first in consequence in this world but if they make it to the next they will be last, for they could not give up their houses and associations to serve wholeheartedly.
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