Wealth and the Kingdom of God

“But Jesus said again, 'Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 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.'” Mark 10:24-25
 
His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity?
Curse God and die!" Job 2:9

Mark 10 is a sobering text! Jesus uses one of the largest animals in his world and compares it to the tiniest opening, the slit of a needle. It’s an impossible task for a camel, and Jesus drives home this analogy to make a point. “Do you love me more than you love your possessions?”

The more profound question is, what or who do we trust? Do I trust God, or do I trust the wealth that has given me a comfortable lifestyle? We are the wealthiest country in the history of man. Most Americans are in the top 5% of world wealth. That’s staggering. Today, the wealth of the middle and upper class in the US is comparable to the wealth of kings in the Old Testament. We have fully furnished “castles”; we have the freedom to travel the world; our entertainment options are unending, and we can purchase almost anything and have it delivered the next day. For example, compare an American grocery store to one in most countries, and you will be amazed at our abundance of choices. By any standard, we are wealthy.

What is Jesus saying to me? Can I enter the Kingdom of God, having lived with most of the comforts money can buy? The warning is severe, and I should take it seriously.
I think of Job, a wealthy man who lost everything. Job said, “Though he slay me, I will trust him.” Even his wife wanted him to curse God and die. What did God say in response 36 chapters later? Where were you (Job) when I laid the earth’s foundation?” He berated him. It doesn’t seem fair. Job lost everything: health, wealth, lands, livestock, family, and friends, and God gave him a heavenly perspective on power, riches, and wealth.

I think Jesus is saying, “Beware! It won’t be easy.” Wealth breeds self-reliance and excessive living. Excessive living breeds entitlement. Entitlement makes you think you are special. When placed in a Godly perspective, we are only special because we worship the true King over all wealth, lands, planets, and galaxies.

In case you didn’t know, Job was restored. He died twice as wealthy as before but with a different perspective. God doesn’t despise wealth. He wants us to love him more; more than my 401k, my vacations, my cars, my health, my family, and my friends.

What obstacles (the eye of the needle) keep us from entering the Kingdom of God?