Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:24
“Perhaps the reason of salvation appearing more difficult to the rich than to poor men, is not single but manifold. For some, merely hearing, and that in an off-hand way, the utterance of the Saviour, “that 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 heaven,” despair of themselves as not destined to live, surrender all to the world, cling to the present life as if it alone was left to them, and so diverge more from the way to the life to come, no longer inquiring either whom the Lord and Master calls rich, or how that which is impossible to man becomes possible to God. But others rightly and adequately comprehend this, but attaching slight importance to the works which tend to salvation, do not make the requisite preparation for attaining to the objects of their hope. And I affirm both of these things of the rich who have learned both the Saviour’s power and His glorious salvation. With those who are ignorant of the truth I have little concern.”
Clement of Alexandria (150-215) in Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? 2. Clement was a philosopher and Christian theologian unafraid to tackle tough subjects such as the teachings of Jesus on riches and how the rich person should respond to them.
Regardless of your reading of the expression Jesus uses about a “camel” and “the eye of a needle” (some favor the word “rope” rather than “camel” in translation and others point to “the eye” as a small entry that requires people to strip away all possessions to enter), Jesus says the work will be hard for the rich person.
In God’s providence, some people come into this world rich and others poor. Jesus says that is hard for the rich person to enter the kingdom. Clement might add, it is likely that riches have become their comfort rather than God, and that riches have distracted them from pursuing life in God.
If you find yourself rich today, that is, having more than enough resources to live, holding on to them can cause you to put your trust in them. Don’t be fooled. Store them up in heaven as Jesus instructed through giving and sharing. Jenni and I have learned that it is hard, at least at first, but you don’t end up empty in so doing, you will find yourself enriched.
Father in heaven, forgive us for allowing riches to become the object of our hope. Helps us, by your Holy Spirit, instead to make requisite preparation to fulfill our role in Your providence when we have more than enough. Transform us into joyful distributors of material blessings for the glory of Jesus. Amen.