The Salvation of the Rich

1. No one can serve two masters, for he will either hate one and love the other, or he will become attached to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon at the same time. (Lk. 16:13)

2. Then a young man came to him and asked, “Good master, what must I do to acquire  eternal  life?” Jesus answered  him, “Why do you call me good? Only God is good. If you want to enter that life, keep the commandments.”

“Which commandments?” he asked.  Jesus said to him, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit  adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself.”

The young man answered him, “I have kept all those commandments  since my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then, come and follow me.”

Upon hearing these words, the young man went away very sad because he had great wealth.  And Jesus said to his disciples, “Verily I say to you, it is very difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And I say this to you once more: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mt. 19:16-24; Lk. 18:18-25; Mk. 10:17-25)