“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.” - Mark 10:17-31
Reflection by Tricia Hurlbutt
Prior to this passage, a wealthy young man approaches Jesus, and asks what it will take to achieve salvation. Jesus reminds him to live his life according to the commandments; the young man replies that he has followed them since his youth. Jesus then tells him that in order to find the one thing that he is lacking, he must give away all of his material possessions. The young man asserts that he cannot do that, and walks away saddened by the experience.
The disciples were amazed by the command, and this passage was Jesus’ response. At first glance it seems to be a proclamation against personal riches of any sort, but is that truly what Jesus is saying? Is he literally asking us to give away everything in order to achieve righteousness, and henceforth the Kingdom of Heaven?
Quite possibly, he is. But on the other hand, could Jesus be testing the young man? Could his request to adopt an ascetic lifestyle be an effort to see what was truly in the wealthy man’s heart? The young man’s immediate and adamant unwillingness to even entertain the idea makes clear to all where his true priorities lie. Despite having lived a righteous life, his wealth and material goods are more important to him than eternal salvation.
With the passing of two millennia, this scenario has only become more relevant than it was in the days when Mark witnessed it. The accumulation of money and stuff has become a goal, and distracts us from what is truly important. How can we claim God as our first love and priority when we are distracted by the trappings of the good life? If we claim to be Christians, we must clear our hearts and lives to make room for that which is truly important.
