“And looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. ¶And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were even more astonished, saying to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” ¶Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.” Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, except one who will receive one hundred times as much now in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. “But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”” Mark 10:21-31 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mrk.10.21-31.LSB

We should be so very concerned when God says it is hard for us to enter heaven. This is not the messaging we receive from the church today. Nevertheless, it is God’s Word that is true and not the messengers who claim to be from God unless they speak His words recorded in His word. God demands we love Him first and most, that nothing in our lives completes with our loyalty, devotion, and commitment to Him. This is how it should be if there is a God. God should require us to love and serve Him most and first. This was the commitment of the disciples. They were fully committed to Jesus and His work and that commitment cost them their very lives on earth but will give them great reward in heaven for all eternity as we shall see when we arrive before God. This commitment to God and His work is not possible for us to accomplish in our own strength and by our own effort. Upon repentance from dead works and false gods, even money and it’s allurement, we seek God to help us love Him most and first and empower us to do His work even in the face of the promised persecutions for identifying with Him before men. This is how we know we are His, we are with Him in our devotions then suffer for Him among men who take issue with our constant encouragement of their repentance and surrender to Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. If our relationship with God is not costing us time, treasure, and relationships we may not actually love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.