“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.”
Mark 10:25
Read: Mark 10:17-31
Devotion: When you gaze out over this large world, who do you assume are blessed by God? Who do you think is presently living under God’s favor? Many people would likely point to the wealthy if asked this question. If you read through the biblical narrative you will find this assumption, and its counterpart–the poor are under God’s judgment– often held by biblical characters (see especially Job’s friends). Why are some people rich? “Because they are a good person and God loves them.” Why are some people poor? “Because they must have done something to anger God.”
This was the prevailing view during Jesus’ time on earth. This is why, after using the imagery of a camel and a needle to say that it is essentially impossible for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God, the disciples react this way: “And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, ‘Then who can be saved'” (Mark 10:26)? They’re flabbergasted. “How could this be, Jesus? How could anyone get into heaven if the most blessed among us can’t?”
Jesus responds, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God” (v. 27). The disciples have misunderstood the nature of salvation. As they looked out across their society, they saw people like the rich young man with tremendous wealth, and they assumed that he had earned that wealth through righteous living and good works. Surely, because these people are blessed here on earth, they’re going to be blessed in the heavenly kingdom. But there is no necessary connection between earthly wealth and God’s eternal favor. Yes, God is the giver of every good gift, whether that is here or in eternity, but material blessing in this life isn’t always a sign of God’s blessing (see also Ps 49:18).
It certainly wasn’t the case for the rich young man. The young man desired eternal life, which is why he asked Jesus how he could get it (v. 17). Jesus then gives him God’s requirement, which is perfection according to God’s standard (vv. 18-19) which the young man thinks he has met (v. 20).
Out of love, Jesus pushes against the young man’s foolish thinking and tells him to sell everything that he has and follow Him. In response, the young man rejects Jesus’ offer and walks away sadly (vv. 20-22). How did Jesus describe the kingdom of heaven in an earlier parable? As a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price that is worth far more than all earthly wealth (vv. 44-46). But, because of the young man’s love for his great earthly wealth, he could not see that Jesus was offering him an infinitely greater treasure. His love for wealth blinded him to that fact. It also blinded him to the fact that he wasn’t as righteous as he thought he was. Similarly, it was his immense wealth that misled the disciples to believe that he was a shoo-in for the kingdom of heaven.
Salvation is not a work of man. If man was left on his own to try to earn God’s favor through good works and sacrifices, it would be an impossible task. There would be no salvation. But with God all things are possible. Salvation is wholly a work of God, and it is a work that is not based on merit.
God’s favor, therefore, cannot be measured by how much stuff we have. If God’s pleasure in people was measured by material wealth and ease of life, Jesus would be the most hated person to ever exist because He didn’t even have a place to lay His head during his earthly ministry (Matt 8:20). Therefore, we must guard against thinking that earthly blessing is an indication that we have God’s eternal favor. On the one hand, if we only have little by way of earthly wealth, it will only lead to bitterness toward God and the envy of the wicked. It was envy of the wealthy wicked that caused Asaph to question why he had kept himself pure (Ps 73:1-3).
But on the other hand, if we have much and begin to equate our wealth as a sure sign of God’s approval, we will end up like the rich young man. We may live a life of comfort for sixty to seventy years, but we will go away sad and miss out on the infinitely greater treasure of eternal life in the heavenly kingdom. Do not look to physical blessing as the evidence of your salvation or the salvation of others. The evidence of salvation is found in new spiritual life, not earthly blessing. One who has trusted Christ will enjoy every spiritual blessing: the fruit of the Spirit, a new heart that loves God and others, communion with God, and power over sin.
Ponder and Pray: Consider how wealth deceives people into believing that they have a right standing with God. Finish by thanking God for your salvation.
