23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 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.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[e] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Rich People Don’t Seek God
The idea that we are rich enough to have disposable income is a relatively new concept. We are rich if we can enjoy luxuries like going to the movies or going out for a meal. Historically people wouldn’t have eaten at a restaurant or attended a theatre unless they were wealthy. We have redefined wealthy to include the ‘super rich’. If we don’t have a billion we aren’t wealthy. Of course, with the big picture of history humans in the west no longer live in the day-to-day poverty of the ancient world.
The tragic truth is that when our financial and daily needs are met, we tend to not look to God. The disciple’s life is the pursuit of Jesus. When one follows Jesus one is living life as it was designed to be lived. Self-sufficiency often sstops the pursuit of God in its tracks.
When we leave wealth behind for Jesus, we gain everything and lose nothing.
Questions
- How hard is it for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God?
- Is Jesus saying it is impossible to be rich and follow him?
- What motivates the disciples’ response?
- How much are you struggling financially and how does that affect you spiritually?
- Do you look up to or down upon those who seem wealthy?
Plymothian 
This post really hit home!!! God has brought our family through some very difficult financial times in the past 3 years. When we were going through those times I found myself crying out to God on a daily basis. At first I was angry at God and thought we did not “deserve” this trial… As I started to stop worrying and when I relinquished my control issues to God, I felt this wonderful peace! I realized that God would take care of us. I really started to understand the concept that God promises to give us what we need, not what we think we need or want:). This was a big shift in my thinking :).
Now as the financial burden seems to be lifting, I find myself father from God. I always feel closer to God through trials, so this post is a reminder to me that I need to call on God even in the good times:)
Thanks Peter