And Jesus answered and said, verily i say unto you, there is no Man that has left house or brethren, or sisters, or father, or Mother or wife , or children, or lands for my sake, and the gospel’s ; but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers , and children, and lands, with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life. Mk10:29-30
Today, preachers will make us believe God promises us an 100 fold return for all the money given to God, which in most cases is money giving to the preacher. Is this what the above passage really means?
Far from it, rather this is a promise to those who will leave their homes, families ,relatives and farms to go preach in a far place , will receive a hundred fold return of what they have given up in this present age.
The verse is usually taken out of the context in which Jesus used it. Reading the whole text will bring out a better understanding of what He was trying to impress on His disciples.
The reading should be Mk10;17-31. Jesus was responding to the rich man who wanted eternal life but walked away sadly because of his inability to give up his possessions. Jesus declared—It is easier for a Carmel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
This is an attempt to let them see how difficult it is for those whose trust is in their wealth to enter and be used in the kingdom of God.
You will notice ,the disciples were shocked at this response ,since they had left all to follow Him. It was then Jesus used the above phrase of the hundredfold promise.
But was Jesus promising such people will become literal owners of hundred houses and lands and cars as it is claimed today? This is definitely not what He meant by that , otherwise they will have to also acquire one hundred literal mothers and one hundred wives and hundred literal children.
Jesus was only saying those who sacrificed such comfort for the gospel’s sake will find fellow believers opening their homes to them and receive them also as family , notice persecution and eternal life also goes with the package.
This is not a formula to get rich or become wealthy over night as many would make us believe . Rather, Jesus told the Rich man to sell all he had and give it to the poor if he wants eternal life.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare , and into many foolish and hurtful lust which drown men in destruction and perdition 1tim6:9
Filed under: Church Matters
