What God wants is a \u201ctake it or leave it\u201d attitude about money. Money must not be the master; rather it must be the slave. If one has money, it is for the sake of his brethren; if he does not have money, he is as cheerful as if he had. That is what it means to be poor in spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another way to see that Jesus was speaking metaphorically when he spoke of the difficulty of a rich man getting into heaven is to look at the disciples\u2019 astonished response to his words. \u201cWho then can be saved?\u201d they cry in consternation. Why are they dismayed? Is it because they are rich? No, certainly not. They have left all to follow him. They are amazed because they understand the hidden meaning in the Lord\u2019s words. They have been counting on being saved because they have renounced their possessions, but now they understand that until their souls are cleansed of passions they have no more hope than a rich man who clings to his possessions. Salvation is the privilege only of pure and passionless souls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the Lord replies, \u201cWhat is impossible with men is possible with God.\u201d No man can free himself from his passions and desires, but God conspires with willing souls. Peter shows himself willing by saying, \u201cWe have left all to follow you.\u201d Here he cannot be boasting of leaving the few dollars worth of property he owned, but he means he has left the old mental possessions and diseases of the soul. By doing this he will be saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p><\/p> \u2626\ufe0fSt. Clement of Alexandria pic.twitter.com\/F3On9ieDRI<\/a><\/p>— Orthodox Faith (@since33) November 12, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>