Matthew 19:24 in the New International Version (NIV) states: "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God". This verse is a powerful statement from Jesus, emphasizing that wealth can be a significant obstacle to entering God's kingdom, not because wealth itself is inherently evil, but because the rich often rely on their possessions rather than on God, making it difficult for them to be humble and dependent on Him for salvation. 

Points

• Jesus' Statement: 

Jesus uses the imagery of a camel passing through a needle's eye to illustrate the near impossibility for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. 

• The Disciples' Reaction: 

The disciples were astonished by this statement, questioning who then could be saved, highlighting the extreme nature of the teaching. 

• The True Obstacle: 

The difficulty for the rich lies in their potential reliance on earthly possessions and security instead of true humility and dependence on God's grace. 

• The Solution: 

In the verses that follow, Jesus clarifies that "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible," indicating that salvation is a gift from God that requires humility and faith, not human ability or wealth.