SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 19:24

During this place and time in history, camels were considered one of the largest mammals. They carried large loads when traveling, they were mild and tame, strong and fast, and they could store large amounts of water that allowed them the physical stamina to make long trips (many other animals were difficult to keep alive). This proverb denotes that getting such an animal through a tiny hole while carrying you and your belongings was impossible.

The rich man can be described using the three gifts that God has given to us, which we often corrupt and abuse for our gain: money, sex, and power. These things can manifest as monetary riches (wealth), physical riches (beauty/food/drink), and riches in influence (fame/good deeds). Many people rely on their wealth in a mixture of these categories to get out of unpredictable situations, instead of relying on God. They consider these things as the tools that get them from point A to point B, instead of considering God. They believe these things define them and that they're symbols of approval for the works they do in the world, instead of looking to God and His approval.

What Jesus is telling us is that it is near impossible for the rich to become Christ-followers because they love their worldly wealth more than God. That’s not to say that rich people can’t or won’t follow Christ. It means people who love their wealth more than God will never forsake their riches to follow Him because:

1. Riches occupy affection

2. Many consider wealth as an ultimate achievement

3. Many are prideful of wealth and are unwilling to be considered amongst the poor

4. Riches occupy time and fill all the space in the minds of many

5. Riches produce vices because it’s difficult to obtain riches without sin, covetousness, fraud, and oppression

(Timothy 6:9-10, 17; James 5:1-5; Luke 12:16-21,19-31)

The good news is that these things merely weigh us down. The choice is pretty simple, God wants us and our hearts. The key to abundant life in Christ is abandoning what we consider our riches to walk in step with Him.