Please Explain the Rich Man and The Kingdom of God
4. Please Explain the Rich Man and The Kingdom of God
Matthew 19:24 Question: Can you please explain Matthew 19:24, "...It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Answer:
First: A young man came to Christ, filled with self- righteousness. Instead of asking in humility and sincerity how he could have eternal life, he offered his self-righteousness when he said in Matthew 19:16, "What GOOD THING shall I do, that I may have eternal life."
Second: He did not believe Christ was the Savior, or he would not have asked what he could do to merit eternal life. This is evident when he addressed Christ as "Good Master"; i.e., a good teacher, but not the Son of God.
Third: Christ answered this young man according to his own proposal by saying in Matthew 19:17, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." This statement would condemn every person ever born. There were over 700 laws given to Israel and the 10 Commandments alone would condemn us as no one has ever kept them. (Galatians 2:16).
Fourth: The man, instead of being honest with himself, lied to Christ by saying, "...All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" (Matthew 19:20) His self-deception was that he thought he was perfect.
Fifth: Christ exposed the man's self-righteousness by replying, "...If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor." (Matthew 19:21) In Matthew 19:22 we find "...he went away sorrowfu1: for he had great possessions."
Sixth: In Matthew 19:24 Christ illustrated the absolute impos- sibility of anyone ever going to Heaven on their good works; by using the example of a literal camel going through the eye of a literal needle. This is what the Rich Man thought he could do, as he was self-righteous. Christ was not setting forth works for Salvation; but, only, challenging the Rich Man on what he truly believed. Sadly, still clinging to his self-righteousness, he "went away sorrowful." There is only one way of Salvation. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)