“And again I say to 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.”
We’ve all read this verse and yet somehow, missed the gravity of the statement. Even the disciples were stunned by what Jesus said. So much so, that they asked, “then who can be saved?” Jesus’ answers, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” He didn’t say, “don’t worry, that’s just a metaphor”. He doubles down and says, only the power of God can get the wealthy into the Kingdom. And since by the world’s standards we’re all wealthy, we had better examine that statement.
Money is dangerous. The love of money is lethal. I must not allow the blessing of prosperity to become a poison. So, what’s my gameplan for dealing with something Jesus speaks so forcefully about?
I must recognize that wealth doesn’t “qualify” me, or anyone else, for God’s work. It is actually a red flag that I must be wary of... Jesus’ uses cautionary words regarding wealth because there is great temptation for rich people to worship money instead of God.
What about you? Would your response have been different than the rich young ruler, who when told to sell all he had and follow Christ, went away grieving? If you had to write a check today to be a Christian, how much would be too much?
Money is not the root of all evil, the love of money is… And love of money is closely related to love of self, and love of self opens the door to the most dangerous Idol on the planet … Me. Maybe that’s what Jesus meant.
Since only God can get a camel through the eye of that needle, you should consider a few questions… Which book influences your life more, your Bible, or your checkbook? Do you control money, or does it control you? Are you neglecting God’s Kingdom, in order to build your own? The answers to these questions matter.
So, handle money carefully, it is like working with a nuclear reactor… It has great power to do good… but dropping your guard, falling in love with its power, and pursuing it at all costs, will disqualify you for the Kingdom.
“Money often costs too much.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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