showed the difficulty to be such that it was absolutely impossible. For every impossible thing
is difficult; but not every difficult thing is impossible. As to how difficult it is, take heed to
the comparison; “Verily I say unto you, 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.”2799 A camel to go through
the eye of a needle! If He had said a gnat, it would be impossible. And then when His disciples
heard it, they were grieved and said, “If this be so, who then can be saved?”2800 What rich
man? Give ear then to Christ, ye poor, I am speaking to the people of God. Ye are more of
you poor than rich, do ye then at least receive what I say, yet give heed. Whosoever of you
boast of your poverty, beware of pride, lest the humble rich surpass you; beware of impiety,
lest the pious rich surpass you; beware of drunkenness, lest the sober rich surpass you. Do
not glory of your poverty, if they must not glory of their riches.
3. And let the rich give ear, if indeed they are rich; let them give ear to the Apostle,
“Charge the rich of this world,”2801 for there are who are the rich of another world. The
poor are the rich of another world. The Apostles are the rich of another world, who said,
“As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”2802 So that ye may know of what poor
he is speaking he added, “of this world.” Let the “rich” then “of this world” give ear to the
Apostle, “Charge,” he says, “the rich of this world, that they be not proud in their conceits.”
The first worm of riches is pride.2803 A consuming moth, which gnaws the whole, and reduces
it even to dust. “Charge them,” therefore, “not to be proud in their conceits, nor to trust in
the uncertainty of riches” (they are the Apostle’s words), “but in the living God.” A thief
may take away thy gold; who can take away thy God? What hath the rich man, if he hath
not God? What hath the poor man not, if he have God? Therefore he says, “Nor to trust in
riches, but in the living God, who giveth us all things richly to enjoy;” with which all things
He giveth also Himself.
4. If then they ought not to “trust in riches,” not to confide in them, “but in the living
God;” what are they to do with their riches? Hear what: “Let them be rich in good works.”2804
What does this mean? Explain, O Apostle. For many are loth to understand what they are
loth to practise. Explain, O Apostle; give none occasion to evil works by the obscurity of thy
words. Tell us what thou dost mean by, “let them be rich in good works.” Let them hear and
understand; let them not be suffered to excuse themselves; but rather let them begin to accuse
themselves, and to say what we have just heard in the Psalm, “For I acknowledge my sin.”
2799 Matt. xix. 24.
2800 Matt. xix. 25.
2801 1 Tim. vi. 17.
2802 2 Cor. vi. 10.
2803 Serm. xi. (lxi. Ben.) 10 (ix.).
2804 1 Tim. vi. 18.
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On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 17, ‘If thou wouldest enter into…