Jesus told the disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. It is true there was a gate in the temple called the eye of a needle that was so small that a camel could not pass through with anything attached to his back. But Jesus is not saying people who are rich have to give all their wealth away in order to enter heaven. If that were true we could buy our way into heaven, and we know the only entrance to heaven is through the forgiveness of our sins.
When we are wealthy we are less likely to recognize our need of him and more likely to be consumed with our riches. When we are poor, we can also be consumed with our lack of riches. Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Mt 19:23-26).
We are saved, not because of our wealth or poverty, but simply because God chose to open our eyes to the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. By grace we are saved, not by anything else.
