Stewardship Jesus' Way - question 6

Is God asking something impossible here?

Yes, but there is hope. Jesus says in Luke 18:25 that, “It’s easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” This should at least give pause for us to consider because we are the “rich man.”  As we examine this further some think that a needle was referring to a smaller opening within a larger gate.  Though I’ve seen those openings in Jerusalem and it could be something Jesus was alluding to (it paints a great picture), it seems more likely from the original text he was talking about an actual sewing needle.

There are some linguistic things going on here. It must be noted that the original writing of the New Testament was in Greek though the common vernacular in Israel/Palestine was Aramaic, closely related to Hebrew. The Greek word for camel is: kamilos, whereas the Greek word for rope is: kamelos. A similar coincidence? Upon further examination of the Aramaic word, it is the same for camel and rope: gamla (its origin may have paired because often rope was made from camel hair).  Regardless, whether a camel or a rope, they’re not going through the eye of a sewing needle.  It’s impossible. 

And that’s the point of hyperbole (exaggeration) Jesus is trying to make.  It’s impossible to figure this out on your own. You cannot discover the right formula, be generous enough on your own or buy your way into the Kingdom of God.  You must surrender to God completely, allowing Him to strip away all pride and self-preservation so that you can be renewed as a steward for His purposes.  He alone can open the possibility for we who are rich materially to enter His Kingdom, and use everything we’ve been given for Him firstly and completely.  But it’s going to require a sacrifice and surrender on our part, a simple and yet wholly difficult task.  It’s not a one-time thing, it will require continual giving from a point of trust. When we become complacent He steps in and asks us for a “heart check,” asking us to take it to the next level…and beyond.

God invites us to a life that is greater than the one He is asking us to leave behind. That is what we often don’t understand because we’re captive to our fear and feelings.  The truth is: that if we accept what God is offering we cannot lose.  He is offering what is best.  He is not asking us to give everything away or surrender completely to Him so that we can be destitute and miserable.  He is asking whether we will trust Him so completely that we’re willing to place ourselves under His care that is so much better than we’re able to do with our limited perspective. 

In order for us to receive what He wants to give, we need to empty what we have.  We cannot come to the Father with a cup filled with our personal brew.  In order to get the fullest goodness God wants to give, it is wise to come with our proverbial cups empty. That is where deep trust is needed. Often we tip out a bit at a time and receive the same in return and then wonder why we’re not experiencing more of God’s goodness.  For us to mix our personal brew with what the Father pours out blends about as well as oil and water.  We cannot have both in the cup and somehow expect to drink just what the Father has given.  And so we press into the most impossible part – letting go of our fears and setting aside “the way we would do it” so that we can begin accepting in faith the way God designed us to do it – a better way. That alone may seem impossible. If it was easy we would already be doing it. Keep wrestling with Him, being in His presence, and you will gain His strength and wisdom.