1

God Gives us the Gift of Heaven

2

(Luke 18:22-23)

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.

3

There was a rich man who thought he could love God his way. He surely thought that he could go to heaven and went to Jesus to confirm it.

4

The rich man asked Jesus in front of all the people.
"Jesus, what must I do to go to heaven?"

5

Jesus said to him, "You know the commandments. 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.' You must keep them all."

6

As soon as Jesus said this, the rich man spoke loudly with confidence.
“All these I have kept since I was a boy." The rich man thought that it would not be a problem for him to go to heaven through his own efforts.

7

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing."
The rich man was surprised and wondered what it could be.

8

Jesus said to the rich man, "If you live as you follow God's words, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

9

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.
He could not give up all his money to follow Jesus.

10

If you really regard heaven as the most precious thing, you should give up everything you have and give to the poor. The rich man went back without a word.

11

Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

12

The people heard this and were disappointed.
Those who heard this asked, "Who then can go to heaven?"

13

Jesus said to them, "Nobody can go to heaven by their own efforts.
Only through God it is possible to go to heaven."

14

By human effort, people can achieve success and save money.
But it is impossible for anyone to get to heaven by their own effort.

15

Even though, the strong cannot go to heaven by their own strength. However, the weak can go to heaven if God allows. Even though, the rich cannot buy their way to heaven with all their money. However, the poor can go to heaven if God allows. Because Heaven is a gift that only God gives.

16

You have received the gift of salvation when you believed in Jesus and can go to heaven no matter how our situation may be. It is more valuable than to get all the money and strength of the world.

17

Therefore, we should live with confidence that we have received the greatest gift of God. Always giving thanks to God who freely gave us eternal life and try our best to live following God's words.