Section 9
renouncing of material things. For example, in 14:33 the Lord said, "So therefore, everyone of you who does not renounce all his own posses sions cannot be My disciple." Here we see that to follow the Lord requires that we love Him above all things. This is the supreme require ment for entering into the kingdom of God.
In 18:22 the Lord Jesus said to the ruler, "One thing you are lacking." This ruler may have ob served the commandments of the old law, but he was still lacking one thing. He was not will ing to sell what he had and have treasure in the heavens and follow the Lord.
Luke 18:23 says, "But when he heard these things, he became very sorrowful, for he was exceedingly rich." Loving material possessions above the Lord causes one to sorrow. But those who love Christ above all things are joyful in losing their possessions (Heb. 10:34).
Verses 24 and 25 of Luke 18 say, "And Jesus observing him said, How difficult it is for those who hold on to riches to go into the kingdom of God. For it is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." The Greek word for "needle" here is a different word from that in Matthew and Mark. The word here indicates a