Camels and Money

Today’s sermon comes from a series on the hard sayings of Jesus. In Mark 10:25, Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” That’s as controversial now as it was then. What’s striking about this is Jesus is talking about something very basic: “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” It can’t be any more basic than that. Jesus is addressing the very essence of what it means to be a Christian. 

If we look at the larger context, we see that he’s actually explaining to the listeners how to become a Christian, and yet right in the middle, he brings up money. Another way to put it is if you want to be a Christian, money is an issue. This is very nuts-and-bolts. First, we’re being taught here about the spiritual dangers of money and wealth; secondly, the reasons for this danger; and thirdly, how we deal with the danger.

This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on August 27, 2000. Series: Hard Sayings of Jesus 2000. Scripture: Mark 10:17-27.

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