Luke 18:21-25: a reflection

21He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.” 22When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 23But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich. 24Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! 25For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

When a rich ruler who has kept the commandments is told by Jesus to sell all he has, give to the poor, and follow him, he goes away very sad, for he was very rich. And Jesus, seeing his sadness, observes how hard it is for those who have riches to enter God's kingdom, so hard that it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye. The difficulty is real: riches, which seem such a blessing, can become a subtle barrier to the kingdom, holding the heart, making it hard to let go and follow. The very wealth the man had was what made it hard for him to enter; his riches had become a barrier he could not get past.

Notice the difficulty riches create: they can become a subtle barrier to the kingdom. Jesus does not say it is impossible for the rich to be saved, but that it is hard, so hard that he compares it to a camel through a needle's eye. Riches can grip the heart, make it hard to let go, hold us to this world so that we cannot freely follow. The difficulty is often hard to see from inside wealth; the rich ruler could not see how his riches held him until he was asked to let them go, and then he went away sad. Wealth can be a subtle barrier, gripping the heart in ways we do not notice until we are called to release it. The difficulty riches create is real, though easy to overlook.

That is worth taking to heart, for riches can become a subtle barrier to God's kingdom, and we do well to be aware of it. We can regard wealth as simply a blessing, not noticing how it can grip the heart, hold us to this world, make it hard to let go and follow Christ freely, as it did for the rich ruler. The difficulty is real, and often hard to see from inside our comfort. Do not assume that riches are only a blessing, unaware of how they can subtly grip your heart and hold you back from the kingdom; be aware of the difficulty, as Jesus warned how hard it is for the rich. Be aware of how riches can become a subtle barrier to God's kingdom, gripping the heart and making it hard to follow Christ freely, as Jesus said how hard it is for those who have riches to enter and the rich ruler went away sad; for wealth can hold the heart in ways easy to overlook, and we do well to hold it loosely, lest it become a barrier between us and the kingdom.

Lord Jesus, when a rich ruler who has kept the commandments is told by you to sell all he has, give to the poor, and follow you, he goes away very sad, for he was very rich. And you, seeing his sadness, observe how hard it is for those who have riches to enter God's kingdom, so hard that it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye. The difficulty is real: riches, which seem such a blessing, can become a subtle barrier to the kingdom, holding the heart, making it hard to let go and follow. Show me the difficulty riches create: they can become a subtle barrier to the kingdom. You do not say it is impossible for the rich to be saved, but that it is hard, so hard that you compare it to a camel through a needle's eye. Riches can grip the heart, make it hard to let go, hold us to this world so that we cannot freely follow. The difficulty is often hard to see from inside wealth; the rich ruler could not see how his riches held him until he was asked to let them go. Take that to my heart, for riches can become a subtle barrier to your kingdom, and I do well to be aware of it. I can regard wealth as simply a blessing, not noticing how it can grip the heart, hold me to this world, make it hard to let go and follow you freely, as it did for the rich ruler. Keep me from assuming that riches are only a blessing, unaware of how they can subtly grip my heart and hold me back from the kingdom; help me be aware of the difficulty, Lord, as you warned how hard it is for the rich, and help me hold what I have loosely, lest it become a barrier between me and the kingdom.