23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Jesus spoke another parable about entering the kingdom of God that explains why the rich young man in the previous section put priority on his wealth over eternal life.
19:23
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly [Jesus is about to say something important], I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven [Jesus’ future rule on earth].
It is impossible to live for spiritual ends and material ends simultaneously.
19:24
And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Jesus spoke here in hyperbole for impossibility. The “eye of a needle” is something impossible for a camel to pass through. A camel was the largest animal in Israel. Jesus did not convey the idea that rich men cannot possess the kingdom. This hyperbole indicates that it is impossible for man to earn his salvation.
19:25
When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
The disciples had the idea that God prospers the rich so that the wealthy had special prerogative before God. This is why they were shocked that a rich man cannot enter the kingdom on his own merits. Wealth is no indication of God’s approval.
19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
It is impossible for men to save their souls by riches. It is very difficult for rich men not to trust their riches. They would rather trust concrete money in the bank than the intangible promises of God.
PRINCIPLE:
It is hard to possess riches without trusting them.
APPLICATION:
We tend to make riches an idol. Idols make us independent, especially independent of God. Riches also make us self-centered and selfish if we do not put wealth in perspective.
If salvation were dependent on personal resource, then no one, including the rich, would have salvation. Salvation comes only from God, the Ultimate Resource. Wealth hinders the issue. We cannot come to God on our own terms. It takes God’s supernatural intervention to save a wealthy person.
Re 3:17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
