What did Jesus mean when He said that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven?


Let's examine the text to which you refer.
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
(Mark 10:17, 21-23, 26-27 NIV)
This rich man asked Jesus what he needed to do to receive eternal life (go to Heaven). Jesus let him know that he had to follow Him to receive eternal life.

In order for him to follow Jesus during this time he'd have to sell everything he had. Today, Jesus isn't asking any of us, super wealthy or not, to sell our goods and then follow Him (1 Tim. 6:17-19; Rom. 10:8-17).

The moral of this episode is that wealthy people are sometimes so secure in themselves and their abilities that they don't feel they need God. But with God all things are possible today!

The Holy Spirit is working on poor and rich alike letting us know that Jesus is the only way to God!

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