According to the text, Jesus' first mission was to bring good news to the poor. The very presence of poor people indicates social injustice. God did not create a world that was to mold itself after the capitalist ideal of the haves and the have–nots. He did not create a race where some would feel comfortable owning fleets of expensive cars and multi–million dollar mansions, while other decent hard working people have to end up without a roof over their heads because they cannot find work to pay the rent. God's society was one based on equality––socialist if you please. There was no place in God's society for poor people. However, as a result of sin, the seed of greed has been planted in the heart of many who feel that just because they donate a small portion of their income to charity (which may seem large to us), that they have done enough.

Matthew 19:16–30 tells the story of the young successful politician. As far as his spiritual life was concerned, he was super righteous. He had kept all the commandments from his youth. He didn't leave the church like many of his friends. He double-tithed and was a strong financial supporter of the church program. He was even responsible for the weekly Bible study groups at the local Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. This was the type of person who brought prestige to a church.

Jesus looked at the achievements on his impressive resume and found there was one pertinent section missing. This young man had no real experience for the occupation of the kingdom. He had no concern for the poor. As far as he was concerned, if they worked as hard as he, they could also be financially comfortable. They needed to stand on their own two feet and stop relying on the crutch of welfare. Why, if he was to give them handouts they would never be able to appreciate the decency of hard work! To distribute his wealth among them would have made him one of them, and he was not ready for that. He was prepared to sympathize with them and put a few bank notes in the offering plate for missions and the poor fund, but he was not willing to commit himself to the extent that would make him one of them.

As the young man's shadow slowly vanished in the rugged horizon, Jesus uttered a strange statement: "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." (Mt 19:24) Lets understand that Jesus did not place a general indictment against riches with this statement. He simply uttered a harsh reality. Many people who have numerous possessions find their fulfillment in the things of this earth. Selfishness compels them to splurge on expensive cars and precious stones that they hoard in their garages and safes in Beverly Hills, while their neighbors in the nearby ghettoes struggle to find two pennies to rub together.

I am not suggesting that poverty is an indicator of a just society. Neither am I proposing that true justice is demonstrated in monastic ascetism. But I do feel that a just society is characterized by unselfishness. A society in which responsibility to the other is a part of each individual's psyche. I believe that the community described in Acts 2 is a reflection of this type of society. The believers understood the social imperatives of the gospel and determined among themselves to ensure that the least among them was afforded the basics associated with life, liberty, and happiness. The poor among them were able to experience the gospel of the kingdom. They were able to enjoy some of the necessities that had been previously barred from them. The good news was that they did not have to remain in the "caste of class," but could enjoy fullness of personhood with those from the other side of the tracks. Is there a lesson for us in this?