Luke 18:11-24

¹¹The Pharisee stood up and prayed to himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—cheats, criminals, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

¹²I fast twice a week, and I pay tithe on my income.’

¹³But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn't even look up to heaven. Instead he beat his chest and prayed, ‘God, please be merciful to me. I am a sinner.’

¹⁴I tell you, it was this man who went home right in God's sight and not the other. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

¹⁵Parents were bringing their infants to Jesus to have him bless them by his touch. When the disciples saw what was happening, they tried to stop them.

¹⁶But Jesus called the children to him. “Let the little children come to me,” he said. “Don't prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them.

¹⁷I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

¹⁸One of the rulers came to Jesus and asked him, “Good Teacher, what do I have to do to inherit eternal life?”

¹⁹“Why do you call me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good, only God.

²⁰You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.”

²¹“I've kept all these commandments since I was young,” the man replied.

²²When Jesus heard this he told the man, “You still lack one thing. Go and sell all you have, give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me!”

²³But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very wealthy.

²⁴When he saw his reaction, Jesus said, “How difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!