LUKE 18:24-30

Luke 18:24-30

Admittedly, last Sunday was a tough sermon. You remember it was the story, told in all three Synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark and Luke – of the rich young ruler. This guy came to Jesus one day asking a sincere question, and I suppose it’s one many ask around the world – what must I do to inherit eternal life? That question and its multitude of answers have produced thousands of religions around the world, all ultimately leading to some kind of afterlife. You see, God has placed in our hearts the knowledge that this is not all there is. There is something beyond the grave. That’s not a product of advanced evolution – that we sentient people can’t imagine this is it, and so we’ve created eternity, heaven, hell, God for that matter. No, God has placed eternity, even longing, in the hearts of people who alone are created in His image.

The point of the message was, first, eternal life is not gained by keeping the Law, any law, to make yourself right before God – to merit salvation. You see, what must I do, the man asked. No matter how good you think you are, you haven’t kept God’s Law perfectly, and Jesus exposed this man for his false self-assessment that he had done so. You see, that led to the second thing we learned – Jesus will endure no competitors – He will sit on the throne of your heart alone, or not all. He won’t share the space. There’s only room for one God, you can’t serve God and money.

I suggested this man is an awful lot like many Americans today – that churches may be full of rich young rulers. That is, people who added Jesus to their already wonderful lives, rich and full, just throw Jesus in the mix to gain eternal life. But again, the story teaches Jesus demands full and singular allegiance of heart. There are actually a number of passages we’ve already seen in Luke that support that truth – it wasn’t new to the rich young ruler. No, Jesus said:

9:57-62 – Jesus told those who would follow Him that He had nowhere to lay His head; that they should let the dead bury the dead – don’t wait around till your financially secure – go proclaim the kingdom; that once you commit to the kingdom, you can’t turn back.
12:13-21 – Jesus warned us to beware of every form of greed, for life does not consist of our possessions; He spoke of a rich man ready to build bigger barns and take his ease. You fool, this very night your soul is required of you. So it is for everyone who stores up treasures for himself and is not rich toward God.
14:25-33 – Jesus told anyone who would be His follower to hate his own family – that is, to give up family and even his own life to follow Him. He said, anyone who would follow Me must carry his own cross and further, to count the extreme cost of following Jesus.

Those were demanding texts. So yes, while the gospel is free – Jesus has done it all – people are saved by grace through faith alone – His demands as a result of free salvation are great. We aren’t saved by our responses – but such responses prove we have been saved – with Jesus becoming the sole Lord of our lives.
I suggested this text was particularly applicable to the American church. You see, according to the best numbers I could find, in 2025, the average per capita income in the US was over $76,000. The median household income was about $83,000. I’ll stop – you’ll get lost in all these numbers. But, on a world-wide scale, almost every statistic I found confirmed, be it average or medium per capita or household income, the GDP, purchasing power, discretionary income – almost every measure of wealth has us in the top ten in the world. The richest man in the world, by far, lives in the US – as do eight of the top ten in the world. Apparently, there are over 24 million millionaires and over 1100 billionaires in the US. We are extremely rich.

Of course, I could also show you numbers comparing our income, or standard of living with the rest of the world. It’s shocking. I found statistic after mind-numbing statistic of our relative and comparative wealth. Certainly, by almost any measure, we live in one of the greatest and richest nations in the world. But, I would suggest our wealth also poses significant challenge for the gospel of Jesus Christ – for the kingdom of God.

Unless, of course, you buy in – pun intended – to the prosperity gospel. That so-called gospel says God wants you to be rich and prosperous. It’s being taught in some of the largest churches in America – by some of the most well-known Christian leaders in the country. It is a well-known heresy – but somehow seems to worm its way into the hearts of people. Why? Because people like having wealth and Jesus as their gods, conveniently forgetting that Jesus said, you can’t serve God and money, conveniently forgetting the story of the rich young ruler.

Anyway, as I finished the story last week – in my last paragraph, I suggested as do most commentaries and sermons on the text, that God doesn’t necessarily call everyone to divest – to liquidate their assets and give it all away. In fact, there were many rich and faithful people in the Bible – like Abraham and Job; Joseph of Arimathea and Barnabas. So, undoubtedly, many of you sighed a sigh of relief. Oh good, I get to keep it. Luke 18:24-30, the continuing story of the average American, otherwise known as the rich young ruler.

What incredible promises. The message of the text? People who choose Jesus must give up everything if they are to be His followers. They must come to the end of themselves, acknowledge they have nothing to offer, Jesus is their only hope. Because, if we come holding onto the things we think valuable, things we bring to the table, our own self-righteousness, our own attempts at keeping the law, being good – if we come feeling good about ourselves and our assets, Jesus says, salvation for that kind of person is impossible. Jesus wants everything if we choose to be His followers. And if you’re not willing to give it up, He might just send you away.

You remember the context. Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem to give His all for us – to make it possible for us to enter the kingdom. You see, while Jesus had a fairly nice home with comfortable surroundings, He left heaven, not considering equality with God a thing to be grasped, held onto, and took on the form of a servant. And being found in the form of a servant, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death – even death on a cross. He became poor for our sakes, that we might become rich. He gave it all away – He became a servant so we could become children; He became guilty so we could become innocent; He became the Son of Man so we could be become the children of God; He died so we could live. He set the ultimate example of giving it all for His kingdom.
During the trip to Jerusalem, the rich young ruler asked, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Remember, this guy was an up and comer. He had it all together – at least on the outside. Rich, young, religious – everything you could want, but he knew something was missing. And so he came to Jesus, asking, what is it – what do I need to do to inherit eternal life? To have the assurance of life now, and the life to come? What am I missing?

We saw his problem was he just wanted to throw Jesus in the mix – to add Jesus to his already wonderful, self-righteous life. He’s a good guy, just ask him. He’d kept the law, or so he thought – he just needed to know what he should do to complete his own journey to eternal life.

So, what is it, Jesus? Jesus understood this man knew nothing of his own sin and self-righteousness; he knew nothing of kingdom life – he knew nothing of giving it all away to find the greatest treasure to follow Christ. And so, at the end of the conversation, this rich young ruler went away sad, grieving, for he was extremely rich. The story continues today. I’m going to break the text down like this:

I. First, we see the Spiritual Poverty of Physical Riches (24-27).
II. Then, we see the Spiritual Riches of Physical Poverty (28-30).

Now, immediately some of you may be bothered, jumping to the unwarranted conclusion that there is only spiritual wealth in physical poverty, and vice versa. That’s not necessarily true, but it is the principle here. Wealth is a hindrance to spiritual life. If you set your mind to being rich, you might make it, and Paul told Timothy, and pierce yourself through with many griefs. If money is your God, you might get it, but in the end, it will prove costly. What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul.

Well, let’s start with the first one – The Spiritual Poverty of Physical Riches. Of course, in these verses, Jesus is speaking of the rich young ruler. Now, the other parallel accounts tell us the man went away at this point, unwilling to meet the demands of being a follower, unwilling to allow Jesus to be first in his life. So, as he leaves, Jesus, no doubt with grief in His voice, said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God.”

It’s difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom. Which is why I began my sermon with all those stats on our wealth. We are rich people. And Jesus says of us, it is extremely difficult for the wealthy to enter heaven. And immediately, you respond, but wait – this is the US – certainly we’ve faced some moral and religious decline, but we’ve been a Christian nation. That’s why God has blessed – it’s why we’re rich.

And that response is exactly the same as the disciples. You see, this prosperity theology is nothing new. The reason the disciples are shocked is because it was thought that being rich was the result of God’s favor. So, if anyone would make it to heaven, it would be the rich, because they clearly had God’s favor.

The disciples were amazed. The prosperity rabbis had taught them if anyone is blessed, it’s because God loves him specially. Now, you’re telling us this guy, this blessed guy, specially loved by God, may not get in the kingdom? So, Jesus repeats Himself – only makes it harder.
How hard is it? It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. What? What does that mean? Lots of speculation about that through the centuries – mainly as people have tried to soften Jesus’ words. Come on, it can’t be a literal camel, literal needle – that makes it impossible. Exactly.

Some have suggested Jesus didn’t really say camel, He said cable – you see, the word for cable or rope in Greek, like English, is close to the word camel. So, it’s easier to thread a needle with a cable than for a rich man to get to heaven. Okay, anybody here ever try to thread a needle before? With a rope or a cable? It can’t be done – the point would be the same.

But, the problem with using the word cable is all three synoptic gospels say camel. So, unless all three guys got it wrong, Jesus said camel. In fact, there was a famous Persian saying that spoke of impossible tasks – even quoted in the Talmud – which spoke of an elephant going through the eye of a needle. You see, for Persians, the biggest animal was an elephant. Here, Jesus simply took the largest animal in Palestine and said, try to squeeze it through the smallest hole – it’s an impossible task. That’s the point. We have the same kind of saying: that’ll happen when pigs fly.

Others, again trying to soften Jesus’ words, speak not of the literal eye of a needle, but a supposed gate in the wall of Jerusalem called the Needle Gate. How many of you have heard this explanation? Supposedly, if you wanted a camel to get through the Needle Gate, you would have to take off its entire load – all its baggage – all it could carry – and make it crawl through on its knees. It might make for great preaching – if you want to come into the kingdom, you must come on your knees, with nothing you carry. There are only two problems with that interpretation. First, it’s possible for the camel to get through the gate – and Jesus is speaking of an impossible task. Second, there was no such thing as a needle gate – it’s not mentioned anywhere – inside or outside Scripture. It was made up around the ninth century AD – again, trying to soften Jesus’ words. Because everybody wants to be okay with wealth and Jesus.

So, what did Jesus mean? Well, it’s mighty difficult to get a huge animal through a tiny hole – how difficult? Impossible. That’s the point – and the disciples got it. It is impossible for a rich man to get to heaven is what Jesus says. That should cause anyone with any sense, every one of us Americans, who live in wealth compared to the rest of the world – it should make every one of us quake – at least examine ourselves. Why? Why can’t a rich person get to heaven? What’s the problem? Let me go further, is it possible those pursuing Jesus in prosperity gospel churches to get rich might not make it to heaven at all? I’m at least suggesting prosperity gospel teachers are presenting a false gospel.

Well, why can’t a rich person get to heaven? The answer, of course, is the problem of the rich young ruler – or anyone else who considers what they have is adequate to get them through life. The problem is, there is little to no dependence with rich people – no matter how you measure wealth. An awful lot of rich people don’t need anything, so the last thing they’ll admit is dependence on Christ – if I have a need, I’ll take care of it myself. An awful lot of really smart people think we’re really stupid for believing this fairy tale. They rely on their smarts to get them through life – they don’t need a crutch like Christianity to help them. No dependence there – just independence – self-dependence. Paul addressed the issue in I Corinthians 1. There we read these strong words:
26 For consider your calling [or your salvation], brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
29 so that no man may boast before God.
30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

Not in your riches or wisdom or strength or ability to do good things or any other asset you bring to the table. The reason there are few rich people, strong people, smart people, noble people in the kingdom is they don’t think they need Jesus. Or, they’re so connected to their assets that they would never let them go. And Jesus says, it’s impossible for them to be saved – because you can’t come into the kingdom with anything. Jesus must be your only hope.

Well, this absolutely confused the disciples – notice, verse 26 – when they heard this – Mark tells us it was the disciples who were astonished. Who then, if they can’t, who then can be saved? Again, there was a commonly held belief rich people were rich because they had the blessing of God. God liked ‘em, they pleased Him – so He made ‘em rich. Which again, sounds exactly like the health, wealth and prosperity theology taught today.

The disciples thought the same thing everyone else did – you’re rich because God likes you. And, by the way, since you’re rich, you have time to accomplish two important things for God First, almsgiving – giving to poor people – God likes that. But, of course, they also had a law governing almsgiving. You should give to the poor – the more the better. But only up to one-fifth, any more than that, God won’t like. So, rich people, you must keep four-fifths for yourselves, and give a fifth to the poor – God likes that.

Not only that, second, rich people had more time to study the Torah, or the Law – so they could keep it better. God likes that, too. Do you see? Their whole system was based on what they could do, what they brought to the table – don’t you like that God? The rich had the ability to give more, study more, work more. So, if the people God likes find it impossible to be saved – who then can be saved? That’s a good question.

It was a legitimate question. Jesus answers it in verse 27 – with people, this is impossible – what’s impossible? The salvation of a rich man by his riches, or his smarts, or his keeping the law, or anything else he thinks he can do to earn salvation. It is impossible for anyone who tries to come to the kingdom any other way than through Jesus. But notice, it’s possible the Jesus way – with God all things are possible – anyone can be saved – anyone can obtain eternal life, anyone can come into the kingdom – if they come His way – dependent, humble, empty-handed, broken, mourning – Jesus, my only hope is you.

I want you to notice something – the rich young ruler and the disciples basically asked the same question – but from a different starting point. Both the ruler and the disciples’ question was, how is a person saved? Same question, really. But the rich young ruler was convinced there was something he could do to be saved. But, of course, there was nothing he could do. The disciples ask the same question, but from a different starting point – who possibly, in themselves, doing anything, can be saved? Same answer – no one. It’s not possible with man, with anyone, but with God, all things are possible.

I want to be very clear. Salvation is by grace, through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. And proof of God’s blessing on your life is not material wealth and prosperity. It is spiritual wealth and prosperity brought by Jesus. You try to get God to accept you any other way – it’s impossible. But come empty and broken – all things are possible with God. Listen, the salvation of any person, rich or poor, is possible, and miraculous. A work of God.

Which brings us to our second point – the Spiritual Riches of Physical Poverty in verses 28-30. As usual, when Peter and the other disciples heard Jesus’ teaching, they only had one question – what’s in it for us? You know, Jesus could have pegged ‘em again. But very graciously, He answers their question, which becomes a source of encouragement to rich young rulers, and fishermen, and prostitutes and tax collectors and sinners like us – people who have given it all up because we love Jesus more than anything. What’s in it for us? Oh, what’s in it for us.

Jesus’ answer – Yes, you have, Peter – yes you have, disciples – yes, you have anyone and everyone in the history of the church who has ever been a follower of Christ. You have given it all up. And as a result, this is what awaits you. Notice first, the list of what must be willfully given up for Christ. In Marks gospel, He lists seven things, which speak of the completeness of our surrender. The first and the last are possessions: houses and farms or lands. The middle five are relationships – people. Here, Jesus starts with houses but focuses on relationships. Now, Jesus is not suggesting all these must be given up – but as followers of Christ – we don’t trust in them. We don’t pursue them. Much, in fact all, must be sacrificed.

Please note – Peter says, we’ve given up everything – idios in the Greek – homes and possessions. But, he apparently still had a house – it was Jesus’ base of operations in Galilee. He apparently still had a boat – or somebody did – they traveled all over in it. Later, Peter apparently had a wife. Rich women followed Jesus and the disciples and apparently funded their ministry. Joseph of Arimathea was wealthy. But in all these examples, there was a stewardship of God’s possessions in the work of the kingdom. And further, if you breathed a sigh of relief in hearing the exceptions, then you should pay careful attention to what Jesus says.

Truly I say to you – again, identifying this as one of His more important statements – there is no one who has left house, where you live in safety and security; family – to include wife, brothers or siblings, parents, children; again, in Mark, farms, that is, your very livelihood. Family, possessions, livelihood. If you are willing to leave that – where you live, who you live with, and how you live – then you will receive many times as much in the present age. How do we receive many times as much, what Mathew and Mark called a hundredfold? Very simply, we gain the church family. And in the church family, there is familial, brotherly, sisterly love and care. We get each other. Does that feel like a win for you? It should.

And besides all that, you get eternal life. Remember, this text started with, what must I do to inherit or gain eternal life? Nothing. That’s the point. But, believe in Jesus and what He has done, and you get salvation – you get the kingdom – you get eternal life. We’ve heard this before: true disciples of Jesus are willing to walk away from every possession and every relationship that would hinder or come in the way of our relationship with Christ. He’s said it throughout the book of Luke. And so, we’re willing to give them up, and when we do, we receive God’s blessings which far outweigh any loss.

Oh, and by the way, just a side note, in Mark He says you get one other thing along with the spiritual blessings of God found in the church – you get persecutions as well. It’s challenging to place your faith in Christ, and give your all for Him. And while the prosperity gospel tells you you’ll get wealth and prosperity with the gospel – Jesus says the opposite. You’ve got to be willing to trade in your material wealth – and in return, you get spiritual wealth – laying up treasures in heaven – and persecution. Great trade, isn’t it? It is, because you also get eternal life.

We must be willing to give it all up for Jesus Christ. Let me ask you as we close – what does that look like? It’s easy to sit here and say, well, I’ve got to be willing to give up my riches. So here you go, Jesus it’s all yours – I’ll just take care of it for you. What does it mean to be willing to give it all up? For some of you, Jesus might literally be asking you to give it up this morning. You’re holding on to things that are more valuable to you than anything – and Jesus says, I’ll be second to nothing. Give it up. What is it you’re holding onto – relationships, possessions – that must go to follow Christ?

For most of you, I suspect it might be a change of heart. A genuine willingness to put Jesus above everything you count dear – something you’ve never really done before. Here it is, Jesus, my job, my relationships, my bank accounts, my possessions, my education, my smarts – everything I’ve ever held close – I let it go – it’s yours. How do you want me to use it in the kingdom? It’s a recognition that everything you are and have and will ever be is because of Jesus. So, you hold it lightly, and you hold onto Jesus with everything you’ve got.

What’s most important to you? If it’s not Christ this morning, let it go. It was Jim Elliot, the young missionary martyred by the Auca Indians of Ecuador who said, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”