By Vince Milum, J.D., MBA, CPCU, ARM, AIC, AMIM, ASLI

Jesus taught that "it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the gates of heaven." (Matthew 19:24)

Some have argued that this statement is not to be taken literally. Some have even offered the notion that the "eye of a needle" refers to a gate into Jerusalem. While many "rich" people may want to embrace this assertion, one respectable source, the Jerome Biblical Commentary, states the following, "the figure of the camel and the eye of the needle means exactly what is said; it does not refer to a small gate of Jerusalem."

Another creative evasion places emphasis on the word "easier." The suggestion is, that though it may be difficult (i.e., not "easy") for a rich man to enter heaven, it is still nonetheless possible. This proposition cannot be sustained if one understands the evolution of hypothetical thought.

As wise as the early Greek and Roman civilizations were, they still had not conceived the elemental notion of "zero." A world whose intellectuals cannot conceive of a number preceding "one" is unlikely to have the Boolean concepts of possibility and impossibility understood by its masses. For this reason, Jesus used the term "easier" to describe the Boolean concept of "not possible."

Lest the rich fret for their eternal souls, there may be an out.

If we think of wealth on a relative basis then, perhaps, global wealth shared by all would create a situation wherein heaven would have to reject all of us or embrace us for having finally understood what Christ meant. (This Oneness Economics notion is not new. In fact, a central tenet of the Baha’i Faith is the elimination of wealth disparity.)

I believe there is hope for humanity but I also believe we must end our sinful ways. We cannot have billionaires plotting to become multi-billionaires whilst their brothers and sisters starve or lack shelter.

My friends, it is impossible for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle but it is possible for us to become One once again.

Let us begin to share our bounty before it’s too late. Let us unite as One Humanity.