Camels, Needles, and Rich Men

I am a packrat. I have kept everything that I have ever received. Every letter, pencil, and constellation. I just recently threw out all of my McDonald’s toys. I don’t consider myself rich, but I have grown very attached to my things. If a robber were to come, miraculously find some worth in my possessions, and steal something I would be heartbroken.

            In Matthew, it says that there was a rich man who came to Jesus and asked what he had to do to get eternal life. Jesus answered that he must keep the commandments. Commandments such as do not steal, murder, commit adultery, or lie. You must honor your parents and love your neighbor as yourself. The rich man said that he had kept all of the commandments, but that he was still missing something. In the NIV version of the Bible, 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.”

            The man couldn’t do it! The rich man walked away and left eternal life behind, just so that he could keep his gold and fancy foods. Jesus continued and said:

            “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 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.”

            Wow. Would I be able to give up all of my belongings? My yo-yos, erasers, and deer bones? I don’t know if I would be able to give up all of the things that I have come to love. Luckily, Jesus continued by saying:

            “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

            I don’t have to worry about not being able to give up my trinkets and do-dads. If I ask God to help me let go, He will help me. This doesn’t just apply to letters and yo-yos. It applies to everything. Your house, computer, friends, family. In order to enter the Kingdom of God, you must give God your parents, children, and best friends.

            “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 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.”

            We are all rich. We all have a family and a Heavenly Father who loves us. In Little House on the Prairie Pa learns that a person is rich not just with possessions, but with people as well. If that is true, we are all extremely rich because of all of the people in our life. We are especially rich in God’s love. But, in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must give up all of the people in our lives. We must give them to God.

            Are you willing to give your money, family, and future vacation to the moon to God? If not, you will never receive eternal life. For it will be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for you to enter the Kingdom of God. But you don’t have to do it alone. You can ask for God to help you give up everything that is dear to you!

            “With God all things are possible.”