Camel Bottoms and Needle Eyes

It has been a while since my wife and I returned home from a week- long trip to Haiti. We have been on some amazing trips together, but this trip was life- changing. It was a good kind of heart surgery. 

Our time was short but intense. I have seen pockets of poverty in many places, but this was “extreme poverty” everywhere. People have to survive with no electricity, running water, or sewage system and, a family lives off a mere .72 cents a day. 

One Pastor told us about a family in his church who had four kids. One Sunday, they showed up with only three kids, and when asked about their oldest daughter, they explained they had to sell her to provide for the family. Being the eldest child and a girl, she would have the best chance of survival and be worth more. Talking with a Pastor’s group of six, I asked what keeps Haitians from following Jesus? They all said extreme poverty. When I explained that wealth keeps Americans from following Jesus, they could not understand that reality. 

Jesus said in Matthew that it would be easier for a camel to pass through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. I used to think, oh good, I am not rich, so I have this heaven thing nailed. But then I went to Haiti and realized I live off exponentially more than .72 cents a day, and I will never have to sell one of my kids so the rest of the family can eat. Guess what? I am the rich man. And getting this camel’s butt through this needle is easier than me getting into heaven. 

I am still processing the words of Jesus in light of my own life of abundance. Maybe think through your own situation and status. Jesus never lies. He never guesses. He only knows.