When Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God,” he was talking to you and me. The Rich, Young Ruler didn’t necessarily think he was RICH and neither do we even though we live in one of the wealthiest countries on the planet and most of us have an annual household income well above the U.S. average of $48,000.
It is very difficult for those who have a lot to feel impoverished and needy, hence the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus is saying that it is hard to make spiritual progress when you are rich and comfortable.
Wealth creates a privacy that impedes fellowship, an independence that impedes prayer, and creative distractions that impede ministry. Wealth brings burden of excessive business and major projects, the burden of caring for numerous properties and possessions which leads to a greater anxiety about maintaining wealth. How can you not have your Heart set on earth when you’re so invested in the earth?
