23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, 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.” (Matthew 19:23–24 (ESV)
“If I were a rich man.” — Jerrold Lewis Bock / Sheldon M Harnick
“Baby, You’re a Rich Man.” – Lennon/McCartney
In the immediate aftermath of His discussion with the rich, young ruler (Matt. 19:16-22), Jesus said to His disciples, ““Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.” The Lord invoked His own authority in the phrase, “I say to you.” The Lord had previously spoken about riches in Matthew 6:19-24.
The word difficulty (δυσκόλως; dyskolos) means hard to accomplish. Jesus did not say those who are wealthy cannot be converted. However, He did say that earthly riches can become a hard object to forsake for the LORD. Jesus compared it to the impossibility of a camel going through the eye of a needle.
“Our Savior’s proverb is similar to other Near Eastern sayings that vividly depict a near-impossible task. Other writings refer to “elephants,” but Jesus speaks of a “camel,” which, as the largest animal used in His culture, is naturally chosen for the illustration. Christ is also talking about the eye of a sewing needle, the tiniest opening known in ancient Palestine, and not, as some assert, a small gate through which a camel can indeed pass, albeit with great difficulty. Jesus often uses hyperbole (see also 23:24), and only a reference to a large animal having to pass through a sewing needle conveys the impossibility of salvation without God’s grace,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“The Lord clearly means that for a rich man in his own power to try to work or worm his way into the kingdom of God is impossible. So powerful is the hold which wealth has on the heart of the natural man! He is held fast by its bewitching charm, and is thereby prevented from obtaining the attitude of heart and mind necessary for entrance into God’s kingdom,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:6–10 (ESV)
Earthly wealth, in Jesus’ day and in our own, is often cited as evidence of the Lord’s blessing. Therefore, the reasoning is the wealthy are assured of their salvation from God, while the poor are rejected. Jesus turned this perspective upside down.
John Calvin writes, “Riches do not, in their own nature, hinder us from following God; but, in consequence of the depravity of the human mind, it is scarcely possible for those who have so great abundance to avoid being intoxicated by them.”
Living in an affluent culture can impede our relationship with the Lord. Even if we do not have great wealth, our culture tempts us to believe the pursuit of wealth is the ultimate goal of life. May we never believe this lie.
Soli deo Gloria!
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