It is easier for a camel
Published Aug 19, 2025 12:05 am
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Updated Aug 18, 2025 06:10 pm
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The rich young man’s lack of courage to let go of his possessions to follow Jesus makes him depart in sadness and would have disappointed Jesus, too. This leads Jesus to remark that it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. He illustrates it by an analogy: it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God. This use of extreme hyperbolic statement, absurd as it may sound, drives its message through: it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for a rich person to enter God’s Kingdom. But when the disciples speculate that no one can be saved, Jesus says that with God all things are possible.
Wealth has a curious effect on the human heart. It can take the place of God in our hearts. Jesus says, “You cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt 6:24). Wealth is a ferocious master, but it can be an excellent servant. When the wealthy tax collector Zacchaeus followed Jesus, he pledged to give half of his possessions to the poor (Lk 19:8). Zacchaeus’ treasure was in heaven, and so he was generous with his treasures on earth.
Gospel • Matthew 19:23-30
Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” (Source: '365 Days with the Lord 2025.')