Christ's Most Difficult Command

Wrangler · Feb 22, 2026

Was going to respond to a post in another thread. Realized it deserves it own thread.

Ronald David Bruno said:
"It is easier for a camel to get through an eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven."
The doorway into a city was called the "eye of a needle", because it was shaped that way with an arch likely 8+ feet tall.

I like your post and need to share with you a study note from today's devotional reading. From Matthew 19:24, cross-referencing Study Note to Luke 18:25 of the NSRV Cultural Study Bible:

Against some popular but mistaken notions that the "needle's eye" was the name of a gate in first-century Jerusalem, a needle's eye back then meant what it means today - a very tiny opening. It provided a graphic contrast for a camel. In Babylonia, where the largest animal was an elephant, Jewish teachers could speak of what was nearly impossible as "an elephant passing through the eye of a needle." In Judea and Galilee, the largest animal was a camel; getting it through a needle's eye provided an apt metaphor for what was virtually impossible.

I firmly believe it is priests who are most guilty of perpetuating this mistaken notion of what the "eye of the needle" means so stock piling money will be more palatable to those of us with itching ears. I like how the note talks about this being "nearly" and "virtually" impossible AS IF it is remotely possible under normal laws of physics. IMO, the importance we place on stock piling money is an IDOL that profoundly goes against Scripture. See also Luke 12:33 (CEV)
Sell what you have and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves moneybags that never wear out. Make sure your treasure is safe in heaven, where thieves cannot steal it and moths cannot destroy it.

This unqualified command is the line of fully embracing Christianity; a line that I have not crossed. Without a doubt, the most difficult command Christ gave. You?

Ronald David Bruno · Feb 22, 2026

Wrangler said:
I like how the note talks about this being "nearly" and "virtually" impossible AS IF it is remotely possible under normal laws of physics

What I do think is absurd is the idea that Jesus meant a sewing needle. What Jesus told the rich man was not an impossibility. It was possible for camel with a large pile of goods to enter into a city's entrance gate - he would have to off load the goods. He wasn't willing to. Many rich people have come to know Christ, given up the idolatry of wealth and followed Him.

Wrangler · Feb 23, 2026

Beebster said:
Yes the post is full of private interpretations. But most Christians have that nasty habit. The irony though is that the very Patriarch, Abraham, who they claim is either in Heaven or some fabled waiting area, was very rich. Go figure.

Yes, Abraham was very rich. It's not just a claim. However, this was before Christ's command to sell what you have. Thoughts?

MatthewG · Feb 23, 2026

Nothing beats faithful living. Even if you are rich or poor. It’s about the giving of oneself. Jesus gave himself over all the riches of the world and was raised again in justification in which peace could be found with God over everything else. Jesus explains he is the gate and anyone who tries to cross the fence lines are thiefs and robbers. Trying to get in by virtue of themselves and their purity of righteousness without Jesus or faithful living to begin with. At least that is my opinion.

Wrangler · Feb 23, 2026

MatthewG said:
Even if you are rich or poor. It’s about the giving of oneself.

Well said. And good to see you posting again. Haven't seen you in a while. Miss you.

Beebster · Feb 23, 2026

Wrangler said:
Yes, Abraham was very rich. It's not just a claim. However, this was before Christ's command to sell what you have. Thoughts?

Hello Wrangler.
Unbeknownst to most, Jesus very rarely spoke plainly. Many Christians think he did, so they take what he says literally.

Luk 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Our carnal minds struggle with this because no one wants to sell everything they have to become the poor guy hoping the next rich guy will sell all he has so that we may recieve some sort of handout.

We end up down a rabbit whole wondering if we
Have too much wealth instead of asking the real question which is:

What is it this man lacks and why does he lack it?

That's something to ponder.

Peace.

Wrangler · Feb 23, 2026

Beebster said:
What is it this man lacks and why does he lack it?

That's something to ponder.

Great question. It is a command given to that one man.

Reggie Belafonte · Feb 23, 2026

It's truly about abiding in Christ Jesus first and foremost in your life.

One can have much wealth. but most likely such as chasing for ones own great wealth does not abide in God but is a product of ones self ?
One who is worthy of Christ Jesus does not have the wealth for himself pleasure but will, as it is written have much more called on him.

I do not believe in giving to the poor ? the ones that you should not bother to throw Pearls too ? because they only will attack like that of a Hog !
But in giving we recive ! but as with a field or a garden one puts effort into growing for good reasons. not bad or stupid acts.
The Mustard seed ? even tho she can grow very much so !

Big Boy Johnson · Mar 19, 2026

Wrangler said:
Great question. It is a command given to that one man.

Exactly.

It's always funny how those that claim we are all supposed to sell all we have and give all our possessions to the poor... never follow their own beliefs about this. They never do.

Armour of God · Mar 19, 2026

Wrangler said:
Was going to respond to a post in another thread. Realized it deserves it own thread.

I like your post and need to share with you a study note from today's devotional reading. From Matthew 19:24, cross-referencing Study Note to Luke 18:25 of the NSRV Cultural Study Bible:

Against some popular but mistaken notions that the "needle's eye" was the name of a gate in first-century Jerusalem, a needle's eye back then meant what it means today - a very tiny opening. It provided a graphic contrast for a camel. In Babylonia, where the largest animal was an elephant, Jewish teachers could speak of what was nearly impossible as "an elephant passing through the eye of a needle." In Judea and Galilee, the largest animal was a camel; getting it through a needle's eye provided an apt metaphor for what was virtually impossible.

I firmly believe it is priests who are most guilty of perpetuating this mistaken notion of what the "eye of the needle" means so stock piling money will be more palatable to those of us with itching ears. I like how the note talks about this being "nearly" and "virtually" impossible AS IF it is remotely possible under normal laws of physics. IMO, the importance we place on stock piling money is an IDOL that profoundly goes against Scripture. See also Luke 12:33 (CEV)
Sell what you have and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves moneybags that never wear out. Make sure your treasure is safe in heaven, where thieves cannot steal it and moths cannot destroy it.

This unqualified command is the line of fully embracing Christianity; a line that I have not crossed. Without a doubt, the most difficult command Christ gave. You?

That is a difficult command for those who are rich. For me im not rich anyway.

For me I've always struggled with "love your enemy". That's a hard one to follow for everyone. If only everyone could at least love their neighbour then the world would be a better place. If we can all love our enemies than the world would be a perfect place. It seems impossible but it's worth trying. Diplomacy and agreement is always the best solution

Big Boy Johnson · Mar 19, 2026

Armour of God said:
That is a difficult command for those who are rich. For me im not rich anyway.

None the less Jesus said sell all you have and give it to the poor. If you really love the Lord then you'll do this and live homeless under a bridge somewhere with nothing but the clothes on your back.

This is what poverty vows are all about.

Wrangler · Mar 19, 2026

Armour of God said:
For me I've always struggled with "love your enemy". That's a hard one to follow for everyone.

Some, like Aunty Jane, confuse your personal enemy with the enemy of the State. This discernment explains why millions of Christians for centuries fought in wars.

I believe a personal enemy is one who is poor in Spirit and tempts you to act poor in Spirit, i.e., those who lie with pigs get muddy. Akin to "turn the other cheek," the question becomes why do you even have a personal enemy? Lack of forgiveness? Fighting fire with fire or returning evil for evil?"

I have good neighbors. Used to hang out by the bonfire all the time. To my right, the young boy accused the boy on my left of child molestation. A couple of years later my grandson stopped supressing a memory from 5 years prior and told a similar story. I told my the neighbors, whose son I was very close to. The father worried about us pressing charges. No, I said. The mother reacted to my assessment the mother of the other neighbor is a good witness like I was the evil doer, kicked me out of her house and they haven't spoken to me sense.

I was close to all of them. I love them and refuse to make them my enemy. If they are done with a relationship with me (for telling them what my grandson said), that's on them.

Big Boy Johnson · Mar 19, 2026

Wrangler said:
If they are done with a relationship with me (for telling them what my grandson said), that's on them.

How do you know the kid is not just wanting attention and is making stuff up?

This happens a lot you know. A kid can claim someone touched them in their privates and all of a sudden they are showered with love and attention and it makes them feel good about themselves, like people love them and sometimes after a Go Fund Me campaign they even get lots of money to.

If they really were touched in their privates they would not wait years to say so.

Jesussaves150 · Mar 19, 2026

Eye for an eye not to seek revenge but to forgive.Which Jesus spoke out about at the sermon on the mount.

Armour of God · Mar 19, 2026

Big Boy Johnson said:
None the less Jesus said sell all you have and give it to the poor. If you really love the Lord then you'll do this and live homeless under a bridge somewhere with nothing but the clothes on your back.

This is what poverty vows are all about.

And I suppose you have done this?

Big Boy Johnson · Mar 19, 2026

Jesussaves150 said:
Eye for an eye not to seek revenge but to forgive.Which Jesus spoke out about at the sermon on the mount.

And he also said get a sword too.

Self defense is not a sin, and yes we should forgive too.

Armour of God said:
And I suppose you have done this?

I'm not the one falsely claiming what Jesus told the rich young ruler is a commandment to the entire body of Christ.

Armour of God · Mar 19, 2026

Wrangler said:
Some, like Aunty Jane, confuse your personal enemy with the enemy of the State. This discernment explains why millions of Christians for centuries fought in wars.

I believe a personal enemy is one who is poor in Spirit and tempts you to act poor in Spirit, i.e., those who lie with pigs get muddy. Akin to "turn the other cheek," the question becomes why do you even have a personal enemy? Lack of forgiveness? Fighting fire with fire or returning evil for evil?"

I have good neighbors. Used to hang out by the bonfire all the time. To my right, the young boy accused the boy on my left of child molestation. A couple of years later my grandson stopped supressing a memory from 5 years prior and told a similar story. I told my the neighbors, whose son I was very close to. The father worried about us pressing charges. No, I said. The mother reacted to my assessment the mother of the other neighbor is a good witness like I was the evil doer, kicked me out of her house and they haven't spoken to me sense.

I was close to all of them. I love them and refuse to make them my enemy. If they are done with a relationship with me (for telling them what my grandson said), that's on them.

To be honest I don't have any personal enemies these days

Wrangler · Mar 19, 2026

Big Boy Johnson said:
How do you know the kid is not just wanting attention and is making stuff up?

I believe the child was too young to think like that. Maybe 4 years old at the time.

If anything, it is my grandson who have have wanted attention, saying something years after the supposed incident. The 4 yo reported the incident to his mother that night.

Big Boy Johnson · Mar 19, 2026

Wrangler said:
The 4 yo reported the incident to his mother that night.

That's the time to do something about it, not years later.

Armour of God · Mar 19, 2026

Big Boy Johnson said:
I'm not the one falsely claiming what Jesus told the rich young ruler is a commandment to the entire body of Christ.

I asked you if you have sold everything to give to the poor to live under a bridge?

Christ's Most Difficult Command

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