And in the course of His teaching, Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes, and to get greetings in the market places (public forums). Who devour widow’s houses and to cover it up make long prayers. They will receive the heavier sentence of condemnation.

And He sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the crowd was casting money into the treasury. Many rich people were throwing in large sums. And a widow who was poverty-stricken came and put in two copper mites which was the smallest of coins, which together only make half a cent. And He called His disciples to Him and said to them, “Truly and surely I tell you, this widow who is poverty-stricken, has put in more than all those contributing to the treasury. For they all threw in out of their abundance, but she out of her deep poverty has put in everything that she had, even all she had on which to live.”

As Jesus was setting out on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him. He asked Jesus, “Teacher, You are essentially and perfectly morally good. What must I do to inherit eternal life-that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom?”

And Jesus said to the man, “Why do you call Me essentially and perfectly morally good? There is no one essentially and perfectly morally good except God alone. You know the Ten Commandments; Do not kill; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.”

And he replied to Him, “Teacher, I have carefully guarded and observed all these and taken care not to violate them from my boyhood.”

And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and He said to him, “You lack one thing; go and sell all you have, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. And come and accompany Me-walking the same road that I walk.”

At that saying the man’s countenance fell and was gloomy, and he went away grieved and sorrowing, for he was a holder of great possessions.

And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “With what difficulty will those who possess wealth and keep on holding to it, enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were amazed and bewildered and perplexed at his words. But Jesus said to them again. “Children, how hard it is for those who trust and place their confidence, their sense of safety in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

And the disciples were shocked and exceedingly astonished, and said to Him and to one another, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus glanced around at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”