23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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."

26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."

Wealth Can Hinder From the Kingdom

The rich young ruler had turned away from Jesus. The demands Jesus put on his life were too high. The god of money had consumed him.

As he departed in sorrow, Jesus spoke to his disciples (23). He ruminated on the hindrance wealth can be, keeping someone from entering the kingdom (23, 25). He said it is difficult to enter the kingdom of God! (24). It's hard enough as is, but wealth creates a whole other obstacle.

The Danger of Wealth

It is important to note that Jesus had (and has) wealthy followers -- people like Joseph of Arimathea and some of the women on his core team. And once the church started, there were many wealthy believers. Philemon, for example, had an estate so large the Colossian church was able to meet on his property.

In Jesus' kingdom, every class and income bracket can find hope in the truth of the gospel. Jesus did not think wealth could only be acquired by trampling down others. Nor did he think even having wealth was a sin.

But wealth can be dangerous. It was dangerous for the man in our story today. And it has crippled many over the years. Christians who are wealthy need the Spirit's help and great maturity to navigate their wealth.

With wealth, the heart is tempted to fixate on this world alone. Instead of reengineering life today based on the hope of tomorrow, wealth can encourage us to become complacent and satisfied with today.

Wealth can also tempt us to think everything good can be bought with a price. But this has never been true. The best things in life -- love, joy, peace -- are not guarantees for those with means. All the fruit of the Spirit is available to all believers, wealthy or not, and those fruits are the good life.

What Wealth Is

The Bible says wealth is a test. If your heart can navigate wealth and still be devoted to God, you have passed the test. If, like this man, you bail on allegiance to Jesus in favor of wealth, you have failed the test. For this reason, we should celebrate those in the church who are wealthy and faithful to Christ. It is an amazingly mature combination. In a way, it is easier to cling to God when poor -- you know you need him. But when wealthy believers are desperate for God, it is beautiful.

The Bible says wealth is also a responsibility. We are stewards of everything God has entrusted into our care. If wealthy, use it well. And I'm not just talking about giving it away, building churches, and supporting missionaries. Be a good leader. If you have employees, pay them well, and create a good working environment. And spend well. Give us a vision of what life could be. Your life is important to those following your lead, and you have the opportunity to bless many with your wisdom.

Difficult. No, Impossible.

The disciples couldn't believe what they'd heard from Jesus. They grew up in a society that believed wealth was a sign of God's blessing. Riches equaled righteousness. Now their rabbi is telling them it is hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God. He made it sound impossible -- saying it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

But Jesus added: "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible " (27). The rich young ruler could have gone into the kingdom. He was not excluded. It was hard for him to walk away from making his wealth his god, but with God, it was possible.

Notice: Jesus did not say "God can save anyone." Though true, it's not his point. He said with God, all things are possible. With God.

In other words, God would have joined up in empowering this man to abandon all to follow Jesus. The rich young ruler would have discovered a fresh power and strength for the journey. He would have borrowed the power of God.

Paul talked about this from his own life. Before he surrendered to Christ, he wrestled with the tenth commandment -- do not covet. He felt he could do everything else, but he could not keep his inner man from coveting (Romans 7:7-8). The law showed him the problem of sin within. Then he believed in Jesus and died to the law.

But did that mean he no longer cared about obedience to God? Not at all. But everything changed on the day of his conversion. In his former life before Jesus, it was like he was married to the legal code of the law of God. But, when he believed in Jesus, he died to his relationship with the law.

Romans 7:6 (ESV) 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

As You Pursue the Kingdom, God Will Help You

As you pursue the kingdom, remember that it will be impossible by yourself. Self-denial, living for others, is unnatural to us. But, as you follow Jesus, he will help you. We now follow God by the new way of the Spirit, not the old way this rich young ruler tried.

"I am with you always," Jesus said, "Even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). He said this about doing the work he'd asked the church to do. For people making disciples, Jesus is engaged with them in a special way, helping them get it done.

Our Lives

I think of the team of young adults who are working hard each week to serve the middle school and high school students of this community. It is tiring work. After a long grind at work, it is a sacrifice to then spend a night serving kids. Netflix calls, but they show up and lay down their lives so Jesus can be famous to the kids who come that night. They want the next generation to love Christ. And, as they serve, the Spirit aids them. God gives them strength and energy. He lifts them up for the task.

When we extend ourselves as a form of worship and obedience to Christ, he strengthens us.