Mark 10:23-2723And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Mark 10:23‑27).
IN our last article we saw how the young ruler valued his “great possessions” more than Christ and eternal life, and how he went away “sad” and “grieved.” From this Jesus took occasion to warn His disciples against trusting in riches. And surely that warning is needed in this day quite as much as then, if not more, for how many now in this world are making riches their god. In these days men will do anything to get money, and such are really idolaters. Jesus said to His disciples, “Children, how hard is it for, them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God.”
Yes, dear children, if you set your heart on riches, your riches will shut you out of the kingdom of God, and oh! what eternal lose that would be! Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,” and this simply means that it is impossible. You could not make a great big animal, like a camel, or a horse, go through a needle’s eye. With man this is impossible. And it is just as impossible for a rich man, whose heart is set upon his possession, to enter the kingdom of God. Still God is able to save even a rich man; but when He does, He makes him give up his riches in his heart, and yield himself to Christ; and then he will hold his riches to use them for Christ. Christ must be everything—both Saviour and Lord—and His disciples must hold all they possess ready to be used as He directs.
To be saved and enter into the kingdom of God, we have to own ourselves sinners, who deserve only judgment from God, and trust in Jesus Christ as the only Saviour. If we do this, Christ, instead of our riches, will have the supreme place in our hearts, and then we will use our riches to serve Him, who has loved us and given Himself for us.
ML 03/23/1902