Can the rich enter the kingdom of God?

Thought for Pew Slip – 15th October 2006
Readings: Amos 5:6-7,10-15 Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31

In our gospel reading today Jesus reflects, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God”. This is very disturbing for us in Western Europe because we live in a very wealthy society. What can we do about this?
I suggest that we make sure that we practice the core skills of “giving”, “receiving” and “sharing” because we will need these skills to enter the kingdom of heaven. Let’s practice giving generously as a service to others. Let’s give with love, overcoming our tendencies to hoard and our desire to remain in control. Let’s not be too proud to receive gracefully and to give thanks. Let’s practice receiving other people; putting aside our own ideas and concerns in order to properly take on board what the other person wants to say to us. Let’s try to share as much as possible with other people; not only goods, skills and talents but also hopes, fears, sorrows and joys.
If we can get good at these core skills then all God’s good gifts start to circulate freely among us, benefiting everyone. This transforms us into equal members of one family under God. It gets us ready to enter the kingdom of God.