When you have to break ranks with what once double, tripled, and possibly quadrupled your income to follow the King Of Kings, you are one of the greatest heroes alive. The Lord said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle then one who trusted in his riches to be saved Mark 10:24. Because their thinking, “ I’ve already got everything, why do I need Jesus?” But, ohh this man Levi, or Matthew, the tax collector, didn’t shrug his shoulders at the thought of lost. He just followed the cadence of Jesus, and became rich on the inside. Jesus latter responded to his disciples that said, “we have left all to follow you, what shall we have?” Let’s listen to his response:
Mark 10:29-31
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 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. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
Matthew gained the ability to have the best of both worlds.
Matthew, we salute your operation of faith, for you helped show the way for others with great substance to get in on eternal life.