Can a rich man enter heaven...

This question is missing the point.  People tend to read these verses and think it's about the money.  (Hint: It is not about the money!) Read it yourself and see if you don't follow me right on down this Bonny Trail...

“Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Mark 10:17

Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing:go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "

With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."

."

Mark 10:21-27

The Bible isn't suggesting that people that are wealthy are more sinful, or less deserving of salvation. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. God isn't comparing us to one another. He is comparing us to Christ... and we can never measure up to that standard. If we could, He wouldn't have needed to come to earth and die upon that cross.

The problem isn't with money.  The problem is that we forget to rely on God... or we foolishly believe that we can take care of ourselves, we don't need Him. The truth is that we need Him desperately. The Good News is that He longs to help us, we need only ask and receive.

In case you need more proof...

He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "

Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

."

Luke 19:1-10

This wealthy man is promised salvation. Is it because he is giving his money away? No, don't get me wrong, he is giving away his money. But, that is not the reason he can claim salvation. Zacchaeus is a rich man, but he also knows that he is a lost man.  I find it beautiful that while Zacchaeus was climbing a tree, seeking to see Jesus...the Son of Man came down from heaven to seek and save him.

Lord,

Help us to remember that regardless or our worldly wealth or status, we are nothing without you.  But in You, regardless or our lack of worldly wealth (or status or in spite of it), we are the beloved children of the King, our Heavenly Father... made righteous by the blood of our big brother!

-me