“For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” -Luke 18:25
These strong words were uttered by none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. This statement immediately follows the account of a man whom we know as the “rich young ruler.” The ruler, perhaps a religious ruler, came to Jesus to inquire what it was he must do to inherit eternal life. Christ answered that he need only keep the commandments. To this, the ruler replied that he had kept all the commandments from his boyhood until the present. Christ then instructed him to sell everything he had and give to the poor. Upon this, his face expressed his sadness as he departed with his head bent as low as his spirit.
Upon the ruler's departure, Christ then turned to his disciples and remarked how hard it is for the wealthy to find a place in heaven. In our text of study, we see that Christ taught that it is not only hard for a rich man to be saved, it is actually impossible. Christ plainly stated that you will witness a camel entering through a needle's eye before you will witness a rich man entering heaven. Make no mistake about it – Christ was referring to a sewing needle. Some have tried to downplay the Lord's words by stating that the “Needle's Eye” was a gate in Jerusalem that was so small that camels found great difficulty when passing through it. There was a gate called the “Needle's Eye,” but it was not built until the middle ages and was non-existent in the time of Christ.
Some of you reading this post are stunned that the Lord's words are so strong. You are not alone; the disciples found themselves stunned by these words as well. When told of the impossibility of the rich finding salvation, the disciples replied, “Who then can be saved?” Note the Lord's answer:
“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” -Luke 18:27
It is impossible for a rich man to be saved – but our God works the impossible. If you meet a wealthy Christian, then do not say you have never seen a miracle. Why is it described as impossible for a rich person to be saved? The simple answer is that the wealthy person needs nothing, so they think. The first step to finding salvation is the admission of your need for it. Until you see a need for salvation, you will remain lost. Consequently, the wealthy person sees no need for anything, including and especially Jesus Christ. Everything that Christ offers – the wealthy person feels that they can buy it. Because of this, it takes a divine miracle for God to save one who is rich.
In my next post, I will look at the Christian who desires to become wealthy. Are there wealthy Christians? Yes. Are there wealthy Christians who are living an abundant Christian life, making a tremendous impact for the kingdom of God? They are very few and far between. Why is this? We shall see in the immediate upcoming post.
