16
Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
17
As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good.
19
But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’ ”
20
“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
21
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
23
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”
24
This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God.
25
In fact, 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!”
26
The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.