Rich and the Kingdom of Heaven

Prayer first

Okay guys! We are going to start this lesson off with a game! As you see, there are all these cups. Under each cup is a prize. How this works is (describe game) and each prize underneath it, keep it out for the entire lesson until I say so.

Each kid now has money,

Now, Im going to tell y’all a story.

If we remember, we have been talking about Jesus and the things he was teaching the disciples and others before he died on the cross, well next we are going to discover the story of the rich person and the kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 19:16–26 NLT

Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “ ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Okay, everyone give me your dollars!!

How did you just feel giving me all your money?

So why do you think its was hard for the man to go sell everything he had and give to the poor?

Because we get so attached to money and earthly things that it is hard to give those things up for God. Especially if you have a lot of money and things. But heres something to think about, the things that you have, the money that you have....its by Gods grace you have it. The money is Gods money, and thats a mindset we need to have. Because say what if someone was struggling in the grocery store and had not enough money to buy food for their kid…if you heard a voice in your head saying, help pay for them, would you?

I’m not telling you guys to go sell everything you have, I’m telling you that if God tells you to do it, go do it! And dont let your earthly treasures keep you from following Jesus and going to Heaven. Because God can give back twice as much!

Give back the moneys, they can keep it!

So, if it is laid on your heart to help someone in need, even with the money I gave you, do no t hesitate. That honors God and we need to trust him with our money and things!