The Rich Young Man

The Rich Young Man

Q: What animal did Jesus say was more likely to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man was to get into heaven?

• a. snake
• b. lion
• c. camel

A rich young man asked Jesus what to do to get eternal life. Jesus told him to obey the commandments. The young man replied that he’d kept the commandments. Then Jesus told him to sell all he owned, give it to the poor, and follow Jesus. At this, the young man walked away sad because he was very rich and his money was more important to him than following Jesus.

Jesus told the disciples that it is harder for a rich man to enter heaven than a camel to go through the eye of a needle. Jesus was not speaking literally, of course. He was pointing out that the man could not fulfill the first commandment, which is “You must not have any other god but me” (Exodus 20:3).

God doesn’t expect Christians to give up all they own, but he wants them to be willing to do that. Christians are responsible to care for the needs of their families, and they don’t have to live in poverty in order to love God. But the Lord wants first place in our lives, and he wants us to use our possessions to serve him and to share with others in need.

For You

It’s okay to own things as long as they aren’t more important to you than God is. The Lord, not your Xbox, smartphone, or favorite movie, is your number-one priority. Think of your possessions as being on loan to you from God to use well and to share with others.

Answer: c

Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—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!”   Matthew 19:23-24

(The Whole Story: Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30)