“But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then” (Matthew 19:30 NLT).
After a rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what good thing he must do to have eternal life, the Lord told him to sell his possessions, give them to the poor and come follow Him. But the young man went away sorrowful, for he was very wealthy. As the rich young ruler walked away, Jesus told His disciples that it was hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom.
Jesus went on to explain that a day was coming when those who we esteem as the greatest and most important in this world now, will be the least. And those who seem the least will be seen as the greatest. The economy and values of this world will one day be turned upside down, so that the love of God is valued most.
As the apostle Paul wrote, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God” (Rom. 14:17-18).
However, we must be aware that those of this world will not understand us. They will respond as the people of Thessalonica did when Paul and Silas came preaching about the kingdom of God, saying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too” (Acts 17:6).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we willingly put You above all things, loving You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We pull our affections off the things of this world and worship Your Son, Jesus, above all. Strengthen us to live for You as we await the Day of Christ’s return. In Jesus’ name, amen.