4. THE DANGER OF RICHES Mark 10:23-27 (Matthew 19:23-26; Luke 18:24-27) 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!--[When the young man went away sorrowful Jesus was sad. He and the angels in heaven rejoice when a sinner repents. They are sad and sorrowful when one--especially one so near the kingdom as this man seemed to be--turns from the way of truth. So he looked round about upon his disciples, to see the effect on their minds doubtless, and to prepare them for the truth he now wishes to enforce by this example. He said it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. This means that, under the rule or laws of God, it is difficult for a rich man to do this, because the riches gain such a hold on his affections, and make such a demand upon his time, that they leave neither disposition nor time to obey God.] 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!--[The astonishment was the greater because among the Jews riches were accounted the blessing of God bestowed for fidelity to him. They recognized that sometime a prosperity might come to a course of wickedness, hut it would he short-lived, and that permanent prosperity was a sure sign of the blessing of God. They were, then, the more astonished when Jesus said: "How hardly"--with what difficulty--"shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" He means to say it is exceedingly difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. They were not only amazed but terrified at the thought, because some of them possessed property, and they thought the statement cut them off.] But those already rich are not the only persons exposed to this danger. Those who are eager in the pursuit of wealth are equally exposed; for the apostle (1 Timothy 6:9) said: "But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition." 25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.--This was used to denote that a thing was impossible, or exceedingly difficult. [There have been many explanations of this sentence. Some say there was a passage through the walls of Jerusalem very difficult for the camel with its load to pass through; others make the camel a cable that is difficult to pass through the eye of a needle. He had said it was impossible for a rich man--one who trusted in riches, one who refused to give up his riches at the demand of Jesus--to be saved, and this illustration was used to enforce that impossibility. This being so, we see nothing to be gained by changing the plain meaning of the language. It is impossible for a man who trusts in riches--whose affections are set on riches, who makes the gaining of riches the end of his labors, who refuses to give up his riches to subserve the cause of God and the good of man--to bring himself under the laws of God; and the figure that most forcibly expressed that impossibility most faithfully serves the master's purpose. Let us not try to weaken the force of the illustration, but urge it as a truth that will judge us at the last day. This still the more astonished them, and they asked, "Then who can be saved?" Clearly the apostles understood it to condemn all classes of people. We apply it to the millionaire, and think it does not apply to us; but it means all whose affections are placed on money. A man who lets the attainment of five dollars hinder his obedience to God as much falls under the condemnation of this law as he who lets the attainment of ten thousand dollars come between him and obedience to God. It is the spirit with which we view money, not the amount.] There are two classes of men whom Jesus considers rich and are here condemned. Namely, one who loves his riches, and makes an idol of them; the other who supremely desires to be rich. In other words, one who already "has it" and is making an idol of it, and one who does not have it, but is seeking it through undue means, and will make an idol of it if he gets it. Note that Christ did not condemn riches but the abuse of riches--the love of it. (1 Timothy 6:10.) Extreme poverty may become as dangerous as extreme riches for the reason each has its own peculiar temptations. Then, let us pray the prayer of Agur, the son of Jakeh, and ask the position of mediocrity (Prow. 30:8, 9), neither poverty nor riches. A man may have great wealth, and love God more than the wealth, and be a Christian; just as a poor man may have little, and love that little more than God, and never be a Christian. The principle works both ways. 26 And they were astonished exceedingly, saying unto him, Then who can be saved?--[Their astonishment knew no bounds. They understood it to condemn every one who possessed or labored for property and asked the question in despair.] 27 Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible,--It is beyond human power for any to be saved--to men influenced by the world this seems to be unwise. Worldly motives and principles cannot induce people to cease to trust in riches. Something more than the wisdom of men and the inducements of the world is necessary to accomplish this. but not with God: for all things are possible with God.--[He looked upon them in their amazement and despondency, and said, "With men it is impossible." These things to men seem impossible--that is, it is impossible for a man to give up his love for what he has in order to honor God and help his suffering and needy fellow men. Left to their own unaided efforts and to human helps, this must fail. But "all things are possible with God." God can school and train men to give up all for Christ. To do it to the least of these his disciples is to do good to Christ. The evil of riches and the struggle for riches is presented frequently in the Bible.]