Most of the time we read this story, we think it’s about money. It’s not. It’s about sacrifice. It’s about God finding that point where we are holding on the most to life on our own terms instead of letting God have control. The ruler was very faithful. He kept all the commandments and was seeking after eternal life. He was doing all the right things. One thing he lacked, total commitment. He was unwilling to give up his money to follow Christ.
Maybe it’s money for us as well. Or maybe it’s family or power or the future. Whatever it is that we are keeping for ourselves and not giving to God, that is exactly what God wants from us. He doesn’t want us to just follow the rules, He wants us to give all of ourselves to Him. He’s looking for total sacrifice. Sound impossible? It is, without God. It would be easier for a camel (or a thick camel hair rope used for tying up boats) through the eye of a needle than for us to give ourselves completely to God without His help. But this is just what God wants – total sarifice to Him so that He can help us become who He wants us to be.