A RICH MAN … THE KINGDOM / LUKE 18:24-25

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 18:24-25

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! ²⁵ For 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.

Shifting Perspectives: Wealth, the Needle’s Eye, and the Kingdom

Have you ever had a core belief completely turned upside down?

For the disciples walking alongside Jesus, one of those radical paradigm shifts happened when a wealthy young ruler walked away from eternal life, downcast and grieving. Up to this moment, the disciples—like most people of their culture—likely held the common view that material riches were a clear sign of God’s favor, blessing, and approval. If anyone was a shoe-in for the Kingdom of Heaven, surely it was the wealthy and successful, right?

But Jesus completely rewrote the script.

In Luke 18:24-25, Jesus looks closely at the retreating figure of the wealthy ruler and delivers a striking, counter-cultural truth:

“Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, 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.'”

The Deception of Self-Sufficiency

Jesus’ words sent shockwaves through the crowd, prompting the immediate, bewildered question: “Who then can be saved?” (Luke 18:26).

Jesus wasn’t saying that wealth itself is inherently evil. Instead, He was exposing the profound spiritual danger that often accompanies it: the illusion of self-sufficiency.

When our bank accounts are full, our needs are met, and we have the resources to solve our own problems, it becomes incredibly easy to rely on ourselves rather than on God. Wealth can subtly become an anchor that ties our hearts to this world, making it agonizingly difficult to surrender everything to follow Christ.

Passing Through the Needle’s Eye

The imagery Jesus uses is intentionally extreme. A massive camel trying to squeeze through the tiny opening of a sewing needle is an absolute impossibility by human standards. It paints a vivid picture of total helplessness.

To enter the Kingdom of God, we have to let go of our baggage. We cannot squeeze through the narrow gate of grace while clinging tightly to our own achievements, status, or material security. We must come to Jesus empty-handed, recognizing our deep spiritual poverty apart from Him.

The beautiful twist comes just a verse later. When the disciples wonder how anyone can ever make it, Jesus offers the ultimate hope: “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). True security isn’t found in what we possess, but in the One who possesses us.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Your hand. Forgive us for the times we have allowed comfort, security, and material possessions to take Your place in our hearts. Shake us out of our self-sufficiency and remind us daily of our deep need for Your grace.

Lord, help us to hold the things of this world loosely. Give us the courage to surrender whatever anchors us to this earth, so that we may fully pursue Your Kingdom. Thank You for doing the impossible in our lives and for saving us when we could never save ourselves. May our ultimate treasure always be found in You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

1. SELL EVERYTHING YOU HAVE / LUKE 18:22
2. LIKE A LITTLE CHILD / LUKE 18:16
3. THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR / LUKE 18:9-14
4. HE WILL SEE THAT THEY GET JUSTICE – WILL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH? / LUKE 18:8
5. CHOSEN ONES WHO CRY OUT … DAY AND NIGHT / LUKE 18:7
6. THEY SHOULD ALWAYS PRAY / LUKE 18:1
7. A DEAD BODY … THE VULTURES / LUKE 17:37
8. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE! / LUKE 17:32
9. ON THAT DAY / LUKE 17:31
10. THE DAYS OF NOAH / LUKE 17:26
11. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU / LUKE 17:20-21
12. THANKED HIM / LUKE 17:16
13. FAITH / LUKE 17:6
14. IF HE REPENTS FORGIVE / LUKE 17:3
15. MILLSTONE TIED AROUND HIS NECK / LUKE 17:2
16. THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS / LUKE 16:19-31
17. COMMITS ADULTERY / LUKE 16:18
18. PHARISEES … LOVED MONEY / LUKE 16:14
19. YOU CANNOT SERVE BOTH GOD AND MONEY / LUKE 16:13
20. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TRUSTWORTHY / LUKE 16:11
21. WORLDLY WEALTH / LUKE 16:9
22. COMMENDED THE DISHONEST MANAGER / LUKE 16:8
23. BECAME ANGRY / LUKE 15:28
24. THIS SON OF MINE … WAS LOST / LUKE 15:24
25. WHILE HE WAS STILL A LONG WAY OFF – HIS FATHER SAW HIM AND WAS FILLED WITH COMPASSION / LUKE 15:20
26. HE CAME TO HIS SENSES / LUKE 15:17
27. SET OFF FOR A DISTANT COUNTRY / LUKE 15:13
28. SEARCH CAREFULLY UNTIL SHE FINDS / LUKE 15:8
29. REJOICING IN HEAVEN / LUKE 15:7
30. THE LOST SHEEP / LUKE 15:4
31. THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP / LUKE 14:28-33
32. CARRY HIS CROSS / Luke 14:27
33. DOES NOT HATE HIS FATHER / LUKE 14:26-27
34. THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT BANQUET / LUKE 14:15-24
35. EXALTS HIMSELF … HUMBLED / LUKE 14:11
36. SUFFERING FROM DROPSY / LUKE 14:2
37. THE LORD’S GREAT SORROW / LUKE 13:34
38. LAST WILL BE FIRST / LUKE 13:30
39. THE NARROW DOOR / LUKE 13:24
40. THE YEAST / LUKE 13:21
41. MUSTARD SEED / LUKE 13:19
42. THIS WOMAN … SATAN HAS KEPT BOUND / LUKE 13:16
43. CRIPPLED BY A SPIRIT / LUKE 13:10-11
44. FIG TREE CUT IT DOWN / LUKE 13:6-9
45. I HAVE CAME TO CAST FIRE … DIVISION / LUKE 12:49-51
46. BEATEN WITH FEW BLOWS / LUKE 12:47-48
47. MY MASTER IS DELAYED / LUKE 12:45
48. FAITHFUL AND UNFAITHFUL MANAGER – SERVANT / LUKE 12:42-48
49. WHEN YOU DO NOT EXPECT HIM / LUKE 12:40
50. IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THOSE SERVANTS / LUKE 12:38
51. WAITING FOR THEIR MASTER /LUKE 12:36
52. DRESSED READY FOR SERVICE / LUKE 12:35-40
53. YOUR TREASURE … YOUR HEART / LUKE 12:34
54. SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS / LUKE 12:33
55. SEEK HIS KINGDOM / LUKE 12:31
56. HOW MUCH MORE VALUABLE / LUKE 12:24
57. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE / LUKE 12:22
58. GUARD AGAINST GREED / LUKE 12:15
59. BLASPHEMES AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 12:10
60. HE WHO DISOWNS ME / LUKE 12:9
61. ACKNOWLEDGES ME BEFORE MEN / LUKE 12:8
62. FEAR HIM / LUKE 12:5
63. HYPOCRISY / LUKE 12:1
64. WOE TO YOU / LUKE 11:42
65. YOUR EYE IS THE LAMP OF YOUR BODY / LUKE 11:34
66. SEVEN OTHER SPIRITS … LIVE THERE / LUKE 11:26
67. WHO IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME / LUKE 11:23
68. DEMONS … THE KINGDOM OF GOD / LUKE 11:20
69. GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK / LUKE 11:13
70. GIVE HIM A SNAKE / LUKE 11:11
71. ASK … SEEK … KNOCK / LUKE 11:9
72. OUR DAILY BREAD / LUKE 11:3
73. THE LORD’S PRAYER / LUKE 11:1-4
74. ONE THING IS NEEDED / LUKE 10:41-42
75. THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN / LUKE 10:30
76. LOVE THE LORD AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR / LUKE 10:27
77. THE WISE … LITTLE CHILDREN / LUKE 10:21
78. DO NOT REJOICE / LUKE 10:20
79. SNAKES AND SCORPIONS / LUKE 10:19
80. I SAW SATAN FALL / LUKE 10:18
81. HEAL THE SICK … THE KINGDOM OF GOD / LUKE 10:9
82. LAMBS AMONG WOLVES / LUKE 10:3
83. THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL
84. SENT THEM TWO BY TWO / LUKE 10:1
85. LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR OWN DEAD / LUKE 9:60
86. REBUKED THEM / LUKE 9:55-56
87. THE PEOPLE DID NOT WELCOME HIM / LUKE 9:52-53
88. UNBELIEVING GENERATION / LUKE 9:41
89. THE TRANSFIGURATION / LUKE 9:29
90. SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD / LUKE 9:27
91. ASHAMED OF ME / LUKE 9:26
92. WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE / LUKE 9:24
93. TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY / LUKE 9:23
94. WARNED THEM NOT TO TELL / LUKE 9:21
95. FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND / LUKE 9:12-17
96. HEROD THE TETRARCH / LUKE 9:7
97. PREACH THE KINGDOM … HEAL THE SICK / LUKE 9:2
98. AUTHORITY TO DRIVE OUT ALL DEMONS / LUKE 9:1
99. DON’T BE AFRAID JUST BELIEVE / LUKE 8:50
100. TOUCHED HIS CLOAK / LUKE 8:44
101. A DEMON-POSSESSED MAN / LUKE 8:27-33
102. MY MOTHER AND BROTHERS / LUKE 8:21
103. WHOEVER HAS WILL BE GIVEN MORE / LUKE 8:18
104. CHOKED BY LIFE’S WORRIES / LUKE 8:14
105. BELIEVE FOR A WHILE … FALL AWAY / LUKE 8:13
106. TAKES AWAY THE WORD / LUKE 8:12
107. PARABLE OF THE SOWER / LUKE 8:5
108. PARABLE / LUKE 8:4
109. HELPING TO SUPPORT THEM / LUKE 8:3
110. SHE LOVED MUCH / LUKE 7:47
111. WEEPING / LUKE 7:37-38
112. WISDOM IS PROVED RIGHT BY ALL HER CHILDREN / LUKE 7:35
113. GLUTTON AND A DRUNKARD / LUKE 7:34
114. JOHN / LUKE 7:28
115. A REED SWAYED / LUKE 7:24
116. HIS HEART WENT OUT TO HER / LUKE 7:13
117. SUCH GREAT FAITH / LUKE 7:9
118. DO NOT DO WHAT I SAY / LUKE 6:46
119. HIS HEART / LUKE 6:45
120. GIVE / LUKE 6:38
121. DO NOT JUDGE / LUKE 6:37
122. DO NOT STOP HIM FROM TAKING YOUR TUNIC / LUKE 6:29
123. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES / LUKE 6:27
124. WOE TO YOU WHEN ALL MEN SPEAK WELL / LUKE 6:26
125. WOE TO YOU WHO ARE RICH / LUKE 6:24
126. HOW THEIR FATHERS TREATED THE PROPHETS / LUKE 6:23
127. WHEN MEN HATE YOU / LUKE 6:22
128. YOU WHO WEEP / LUKE 6:21
129. BLESSED YOU WHO ARE POOR / LUKE 6:20
130. SERMON ON THE PLAIN / LUKE 6:17-19
131. SPENT THE NIGHT PRAYING / LUKE 6:12
132. JESUS AND THE SABBATH / LUKE 6:2-10
133. SABBATH / LUKE 6:1
134. ‘THE OLD IS BETTER’ / LUKE 5:39
135. NEW WINE INTO OLD WINESKINS / LUKE 5:37
136. IN THOSE DAYS THEY WILL FAST / LUKE 5:35
137. EAT AND DRINK WITH … ‘SINNERS’ / LUKE 5:30
138. SON OF MAN / LUKE 5:24
139. JESUS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE THINKING / LUKE 5:22
140. CARRYING A PARALYTIC / LUKE 5:18
141. THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT / LUKE 5:17
142. PRAYERS OF JESUS / LUKE 5:16
143. YOU WILL CATCH MEN / LUKE 5:9-10
144. HEALED THEM / LUKE 4:40
145. AN EVIL SPIRIT / LUKE 4:33-35
146. HIS MESSAGE HAD AUTHORITY / LUKE 4:32
147. HE HAS ANOINTED ME / LUKE 4:18-19
148. THE SPIRIT ON ME / LUKE 4:18
149. SATAN’S USE OF SCRIPTURE / LUKE 4:10
150. THE DEVIL / LUKE 4:9
151. THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD / LUKE 4:5
152. DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE / LUKE 4:4
153. JESUS FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 4:1-2
154. JESUS’ GENEALOGY / LUKE 3:23
155. HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED ON HIM / LUKE 3:22
156. HE WILL BURN UP THE CHAFF / LUKE 3:17
157. BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / LUKE 3:16
158. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / LUKE 3:8
159. BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE /LUKE 3:3
160. CAESAR … PILATE … HEROD / LUKE 3:1-2
161. JESUS GREW IN WISDOM / LUKE 2:52
162. I HAD TO BE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE / LUKE 2:49-51
163. THE CHILD GREW / LUKE 2:39-40
164. ANNA … WORHIPED / LUKE 2:36-38
165. A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR OWN SOUL / LUKE 2:33-35
166. RIGHTEOUS AND DEVOUT – WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION / LUKE 2:25-32
167. A PAIR OF DOVES / LUKE 2:24
168. PRESENT HIM TO THE LORD / LUKE 2:22-23
169. THEY SPREAD THE WORD / LUKE 2:17-18
170. A SAVIOR … CHRIST THE LORD / LUKE 2:11
171. THE NATIONS YOUR INHERITANCE / PSALMS 2:8
172. A MANGER / LUKE 2:6-7
173. HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS / LUKE 1:68-75
174. GOD MY SAVIOR / LUKE 1:46-47
175. AS YOU HAVE SAID / LUKE 1:38
176. THE HOLY ONE / LUKE 1:34-35
177. HIS FATHER DAVID / LUKE 1:32-33
178. YOU WHO ARE HIGHLY FAVORED / LUKE 1:28
179. PLEDGED TO BE MARRIED / LUKE 1:26-27
180. SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH – THE FATHERS OF THEIR CLILDREN / LUKE 1:17
181. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT – WINE FERMENTED DRINK / LUKE 1:15
182. UPRIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD / LUKE 1:6
183. DIVISION OF ABIJAH DESCENDANT OF AARON / LUKE 1:5
184. THEOPHILUS / LUKE 1:1-4
185. Crews N Away: Anchored in Grace

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace