Rich Man

Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again 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.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

I have heard this explained that the eye of the camel is a low gate, that a camel had to crawl through without any load on it's back. This would seem to apply to a rich man not being able to take any of his riches with him to God's kingdom. A rich man may have put all his efforts into getting rich and given little thought to the kingdom of God. How many would give up all their wealth as a condition to follow Jesus Christ? Well, he doesn't want your wealth, he wants all of you. Are you willing to die to self and live for Christ?

I see prosperity teachers attempting to convince the hearer that if they send them money that they would be blessed financially. Some drive around in expensive cars and live in mansions, because of the greed of those who send them money to gain wealth. Hold it now, the true riches are spiritual. If we are serving God through Jesus Christ, he will bless us as he wills. Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and be a true child of God.

3Jn 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Luk 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Luk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luk 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table:

In this story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man was selfish not caring about Lazarus, the beggar. They both died and the rich man was in torment in hell while Lazarus was in the arms of Abraham. Abraham was a rich man, who followed the will of God by faith. The true riches are following Jesus and doing his will. If God has favored you with finances, be thankful and be a good steward of His money. It is on loan from heaven.

Luk 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
Luk 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Luk 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Luk 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
Luk 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

A final note. Persecution will come to the people of God, just as it came to Jerusalem after Christ returned to heaven. They had to sell all they had, perhaps for little gain, but they met together and shared all things. The greatest riches are spiritual, loving the family of God, obeying the Lord is our riches.