God hears the cries of his people even if they are not saved. Remember the centurion? He was a Gentile, but he knew about submission and obedience to authority. He recognized Jesus for what He was. And Jesus healed the centurion’s servant. Had he found salvation yet? Who knows? But Jesus used him as an example of great faith. God alone knows the heart of man.
The rich young ruler wanted what Jesus was offering. Matthew 19:16-22 NKJV – Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler – Bible Gateway
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
One day, Satan was present before God. Then God brought up Job. You know the story.
And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come? So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” God said to Satan "go ahead" not once, but twice.
And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Again, God brought up Job.
“Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”
And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.”
Satan was allowed to do pretty much anything to Job but take his life. Job was tested to see if he would curse God. No matter how bad things got, Job would not curse God. Even his wife wanted him to curse God. God had found Job righteous. Job’s response to his tragedies should put every Christian to shame. Why should we take good from God and not the bad?
God said "And still he (Job) holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”
Compared to the rich young ruler who sadly but willingly sacrificed his eternal life for his great wealth, God allowed Satan to take everything from Job, except his life. The Scriptures don’t tell us what became of the rich young ruler. But Job, did not consider his earthly gain above his God. Both were faced with a decision. We are all faced with the same decision. Today, earthly gain keeps us in bondage to the things of the world. It keeps us chasing material gain, status, fame, and power, because we do not feel a need to surrender or give anything up or away. The need to simply be content is not in our DNA.
Through the centuries, the learned, the theologian, philosophers and all such thinkers have interpreted the Scriptures to fit a specific narrative. How does a man hold on to his riches, his worldly status and still claim to serve God, first? The Scriptures teach that man cannot serve both God and mammon. So — tell the man that so long as his wealth is not first in his heart, he is ok. This way, no man will ever feel the need, much less conviction to give up anything. But God alone knows the heart of man. And He knows our heart better than we do. The wide path always looks more appealing, but it only leads to destruction.
Only His sheep hear His voice.
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