Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto
you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matt.
19:23)
Christ warns them, not only how dangerous and how deadly a
plague avarice is, but also how great an obstacle is presented by riches.
In Mark, indeed, he mitigates the harshness of his
expression, by restricting it to those only who place confidence in riches
But these words are, I think, intended to confirm, rather than correct, the
former statement, as if he had affirmed that they ought not to think it
strange, that he made the entrance into the kingdom of heaven so difficult
for the rich, because it is an evil almost common to all to trust in
their riches. Yet this doctrine is highly useful to all; to the rich,
that, being warned of their danger, they may be on their guard; to the poor,
that, satisfied with their lot, they may not so eagerly desire what would bring
more damage than gain.
It is true indeed, that riches do not, in their own
nature, hinder us from following God; but, in consequence of the depravity of
the human mind, it is scarcely possible for those who have a great abundance to
avoid being intoxicated by them. So they who are exceedingly rich are
held by Satan bound, as it were, in chains, that they may not raise their
thoughts to heaven; nay more, they bury and entangle themselves, and became
utter slaves to the earth.
The comparison of the camel, which is soon after
added, is intended to amplify the difficulty; for it means that the
rich are so swelled with pride and presumption, that they cannot endure to
be reduced to the straits through which God makes his people to pass.
(Commentaries)
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