Two Rich Men

And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:24-25 NASB)

The Bible mentioned two rich men, one righteous rich young ruler who did all the commandments of God and Zacchaeus, the sinful publican, traitor, cheater and liar.

Jesus said to the righteous young man, "Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Luke 18:22)

Jesus said the sinful Zacchaeus, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." (Luke 19:5)

When the righteous rich young man hear what Jesus required, he became sad. (Luke 18:23)

When sinful Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming to his house, he said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!" (Luke 19:8)

Jesus taught all who are rich not to trust in uncertain riches (1 Timothy 6:17). Jesus taught all who are righteous not to trust in their works (Matthew 7:22).

When you trust Jesus for your salvation, automatically you will not trust in your wealth, which is why Zacchaeus was willing to give half of his wealth away.

But when you trust in your own works of righteousness, you will also trust in your own wealth. That is why the rich young ruler was so sad when Jesus asked him to sell all that he had.