Page 434 - Bible History

CHRIST THE F.RIEND OF THE POOR AND THE SI 407
him to the perfect life. "Only one thing is wanting unto thee,'' He said. ''Go, sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven. Then come and follow Me."
When the young man heard these words, he became very sorrowful. Turning around, he went away in silen . He had great possessions, and although he felt a great desire to follow Jesus, he did not have the courage to give them up. After he had gone, Jesus said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God.''
Hearing these words, the apostles were astonished. The Though they were poor themselves, they had not yet u ol. learned to love poverty. Deep down in their hearts h
they still envied the rich. Jesus repeated what He had said, '' How hard it is for those that trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
But the apostles were only the more deeply puzzled and they said among themselves, ''Who, then, can be saved1"
Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men it is im­ possible; but not with God. For all things are possible with God." What He meant was that as long as a rich man depends upon himself and puts his faith in what he possesses, he will not be able to gain the happiness of Heaven, even if he can purchase for himself all the nest things of this world. But if God gives him the grace, he may understand the folly of his ways before it is too late and, by giving away his goods to charity,