The young man said, "Teacher, all these I have kept ever since I was a child. What more do I need?"
As Jesus looked at this young man, so eager in his wish to please God, he loved him, and felt a special longing to have him among his disciples.
"If you really wish to be perfect," he said to the young man, "you do need one thing more. Sell everything that you have, and give all the money to the poor, and you will have your treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, and be one of my disciples."
When the young man heard those words, he felt greatly disappointed, and turned away, unwilling to do what Jesus asked, for he was very rich, and he loved his money. After he had left them, Jesus turned to his disciples:
"How hard it is," said Jesus, "for a rich man to come into the kingdom of God!"
As the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised, for all the Jews thought that to have riches was a sign of God's special favor. As they stood silent, not knowing how to answer these words, Jesus said again:
"Children, how hard it is for those who trust in their riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God!"
They were amazed at this, and said, "Then who can be saved?"
"What is impossible with men," answered Jesus, "is possible with God."
"But we," said Simon Peter, "have left everything, and have followed you. What shall we have in the kingdom for all this?"