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There is an account of a rich man meeting Jesus one day (Mark chapter 10 verses 17 to 22). The man asks how he can receive eternal life. Jesus tells him to respect and obey God's commandments. (See The Ten Commandents, set out in Deuteronomy chapter 5 in the Old Testament). The man says that, since his youth, he has obeyed all these. Good! says Jesus, telling him that he needs to do one more thing.... sell all he has and give the money to the poor! Then he will have rewards in heaven when he dies. The man goes away sad and dejected.... he is VERY rich.
But Jesus did not mean that being wealthy was wrong in itself. We can still enjoy the good things in this life which we have earned by honest hard work, as well as God's gifts of health, sunshine, beauty in nature, etc. Jesus could see into this man's heart. He LOVED his wealth, was PROUD of his riches, was very COMFORTABLE with his life. (Jesus can see into everyone's heart). In short, the man was completely satisfied and probably smug. He didn't NEED Jesus (he thought), the Son of God who came to die for all of our sins.
If the man had put loving Jesus first and foremost in his life, and trusted Him for everything, it would have put all the other stuff into perspective. Yes, he would have enjoyed good food and possessions, he would have given happily, willingly and generously to charity, but he would also have remembered and rejoiced every day that Jesus is the way to eternal life in heaven and all his material things would not seem so important any more. People today say "You can't take it with you". Well, you can't.
Jesus called Himself "THE BREAD OF LIFE". (John chapter 6 verse 35: "I am the bread of life" Jesus told them. "Those who come to me will never be hungry; those who believe in me will never be thirsty"). Just as we need baked loaves and other food to eat to keep our bodies well, so we need "eternal bread" to sustain us FOR EVER. The rich man may have been ashamed to think of Jesus as a "support", since he appeared to possess everything else he needed. Mark chapter 8 verse 38 says "If a person is ashamed of me and of my teaching in this godless and wicked day, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels". (The name Jesus often calls Himself, "Son of Man", points to Himself as the Messiah, who was to die for all people). We should keep learning more about Jesus, love Him and learn to trust Him.
