, he became exceedingly
sorrowful; for he was very rich. 24 And Jesus seeing him said, How
hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle's
eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And
they that heard it said, Then who can be saved? 27 But he said,
The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. 28
And Peter said, Lo, we have left our own, and followed thee. 29
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that
hath left house, or wife, or brethren or parents, or children, for
the kingdom of God's sake, 30 who shall not receive manifold more
in this time, and in the world to come eternal life.

In contrast with the penitent publican and with the loving trust of little
children which Luke has been depicting, there steps upon the scene a young
man, rich, upright, morally earnest, but apparently unconscious of the
sinful greed which threatened his soul and of that trust in riches which
might prevent his entering the Kingdom of God. In spite of his riches, his
youth, his position, and his power, his heart was not satisfied. He had
come to Jesus with the question, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit
eternal life?" Jesus at once rebuked him, "Why callest thou me good? none
is good, save one, even God." By this reproof Jesus was neither defending
his own divinity nor denying his sinlessness. He wished to convince the
young man of his moral need. He intimated that the thoughtless use of the
word "good," addressed to one whom he regarded as a human teacher, was a
proof that the young man had a superficial view of goodness. Judged by a
divine standard the young inquirer could not claim to be good, nor can any
man regard himself as righteous in the light of divine holiness.

In order to awaken the conscience and to disturb the complacent
self-righteousness of the young inquirer, Jesus now tested him in the
light of the commandments in which God has revealed his holy will. The
youth at once replied, "All these things have I observed from my youth
up." Jesus now applied the deep probe which showed that the man had never
observed the spirit of the Law, even though he believed that he had kept
the letter. Jesus disclosed the real selfishness of the heart as he
proposed a supreme test: "One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou
hast, and distribute