Matthew 19:23-24
New International Version (NIV)
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.”
Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
In James chapter, James warns the Rich Oppressors.
James 5 (NIV)
Warning to Rich Oppressors
5 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
Jesus in his journey has met many Rich Oppressors.
Luke 19:1-10 (NKJV)
Jesus Comes to Zacchaeus’ House
19 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
In the above Analogy, Jesus compares a Camel with the Eye of a Needle. Its doubtless that the comparison is very different. Lets look at the size of the Eye of a Needle and Camel, Its thousands and thousands of size bigger, but still that may happen but not the Rich to enter into the kingdom of God.
The above Analogy takes place when Jesus explained what needs to be done for eternal life to a young man..
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus' Perspective:
Jesus' perspective of explaining this Analogy is to make us understand that it is not easier to enter into the kingdom of heaven if one is rich and has not turned from earthly or materialistic possession to godly and being spiritually filled.
Jesus says it is impossible with man, but possible with God:
In fact it is God who gives us the gifts of making one richer and the other poor for our own benefit. In the parable of talents, each person got the talents that which he can use it for a better purpose. The only aspect God looks for in the rich is to help the poor, to seek his kingdom. God has given us this perspective of looking at the things of the world and to turn from evil is this, In Matthew 4:9 - as we could see, when Jesus was tempted, the temper tempts Jesus by saying "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
But Jesus responds - 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.
That should be our perspective when the temper tempts with the worldly things which are not according to his will.
Jesus asks us to look at the Eye of the Needle:
Look at the Eye of the Needle and the Camel, Is it possible for a Camel to enter into it? No, Not possible and it will never be possible. That is why in the coming verse of the same chapter, Jesus explains "What is impossible with man is possible with God", for "there is nothing impossible for God". By no means and ways one can enter into the kingdom of God, One may do anything by himself, but until and unless he comes to God and listens to God, and when God says as to what needs to be done, then just like the young man in the Analogy, When one does as to what God says then he will able to enter into the kingdom of God.
Psalm 72:12 NIV
For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.
Psalm 12:5 NIV
"Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them."
Psalm 41:1 NIV
For the director of music. A psalm of David. Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.
Psalm 70:5 NIV
But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay.
1 Timothy 6:17
"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy"
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