16 A man came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 Jesus said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only one is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said, “What commandments?” Jesus answered them, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said, “I have kept all these. What do I lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When his disciples heard this, they were amazed and asked, “Then who can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:16-26)
Here we see a man who came to see Jesus. From the parallel passage we know that he was a ruler. The young man asked Jesus: what good deed must he do to have eternal life? The Lord Jesus said that he must obey the commandments, that is, the commandments of the Old Testament. The young man said that he had obeyed them all, but what was still lacking? The Lord Jesus told him that if he wanted to be perfect, he should sell all he had and give to the poor, and then he would have treasure in heaven. The young man went away sorrowful after hearing this, because he had a lot of possessions. Then the Lord Jesus said that it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. Here the Lord Jesus did not ask all his followers to sell all they had and give to the poor, but to be willing to share.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. (1 Timothy 6:17-18)
Here Paul asks the rich to be generous and ready to share, so that they can lay up treasure in heaven.
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. (Proverbs 19:17)
Here we see that giving to the poor lends to the Lord, and the Lord will repay.
The Lord Jesus said that it is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven, but it is not impossible. With God, all things are possible, and He can change the rich. After this passage, Peter asked the Lord Jesus: We have left everything and followed you, what will we have in the future?
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19:28-30)
Here we can see that forsaking for the Lord will be rewarded, not just in the next life, but also in this life. However, there are many who are spiritual ahead will be behind, and those that are behind will be ahead.
May God bless you and your family!
