should we avoid being rich and wealthy?

[Mike S]

Should we avoid being rich and wealthy? Well, I've avoided it so far.

 

[KevinK]

Kevin,

Sounds like we might differ a little in our understanding of what an idol is. If I understand you correctly, you define Idol as something worshiped. I define it as anything we would place ahead of God.

We're definitely on different pages, although I understand what you're saying and don't disagree per se. I am coming in at a different angle, and probably not expressing things very clearly. I understand the problems with idols, and putting anything ahead of God. Very important points, but I actually think Jesus was talking about something different in His talk about the camel through a needle's eye (I also have heard the theory that the original translation was flawed, and that He actually said "rope", not camel, but that's neither here nor there.)

 

[Kathi]

Money + Power + Greed = a deadly combination.

 

[Kathi]

We're definitely on different pages, although I understand what you're saying and don't disagree per se. I am coming in at a different angle, and probably not expressing things very clearly. I understand the problems with idols, and putting anything ahead of God. Very important points, but I actually think Jesus was talking about something different in His talk about the camel through a needle's eye (I also have heard the theory that the original translation was flawed, and that He actually said "rope", not camel, but that's neither here nor there.)

Please tell me what Jesus was talking about regarding the verse "camel through a needle's eye".

 

[KevinK]

Please tell me what Jesus was talking about regarding the verse "camel through a needle's eye".

Hello Kathi! A new day it is. I shall share my humble opinion of that verse from Matthew 19 (yet one more time). Passing a large pack animal through the tiny eye of a needle would be considered something difficult. Some would even say impossible, at least from man's viewpoint. So Jesus said in no uncertain terms that this nearly impossible feat is yet easier than that of a wealthy individual passing through the heavenly gates. It remains only what the reason for the difficulty is. My own theory for this reason differs apparently from others here, and holds closer to the actual words said (as an aside, I find this strange, because I have never considered myself a Biblical fundamentalist).

My interpretation is with wealth itself, and/or the lack thereof. Possession of great wealth is not a sin per se. It only makes very difficult, but not impossible, entrance to heaven. But there is the critical distinction, as "very difficult" can mean the ball game. The reason for the difficulty is not a part of the literal scripture, and thus is a matter of interpretation. I have my own interpretation, which I try to make clear is a personal interpretation, as is everyone else's.

My interpretation is that to come to God, a person must have a sense of emptiness. Wealth tends to fill that emptiness, though not necessarily in a spiritually healthy way. Another member here has in their signature a quote from a Leonard Cohen song, so I offer mine: "And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see Him". That kind of sums it up for me.

I just think that Christians should be very, very uncomfortable with large amounts of money.

 

[jasonc]

Hello Kathi! A new day it is. I shall share my humble opinion of that verse from Matthew 19 (yet one more time). Passing a large pack animal through the tiny eye of a needle would be considered something difficult. Some would even say impossible, at least from man's viewpoint. So Jesus said in no uncertain terms that this nearly impossible feat is yet easier than that of a wealthy individual passing through the heavenly gates. It remains only what the reason for the difficulty is. My own theory for this reason differs apparently from others here, and holds closer to the actual words said (as an aside, I find this strange, because I have never considered myself a Biblical fundamentalist).

My interpretation is with wealth itself, and/or the lack thereof. Possession of great wealth is not a sin per se. It only makes very difficult, but not impossible, entrance to heaven. But there is the critical distinction, as "very difficult" can mean the ball game. The reason for the difficulty is not a part of the literal scripture, and thus is a matter of interpretation. I have my own interpretation, which I try to make clear is a personal interpretation, as is everyone else's.

My interpretation is that to come to God, a person must have a sense of emptiness. Wealth tends to fill that emptiness, though not necessarily in a spiritually healthy way. Another member here has in their signature a quote from a Leonard Cohen song, so I offer mine: "And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see Him". That kind of sums it up for me.

I just think that Christians should be very, very uncomfortable with large amounts of money.

ok so the lowest wage earner in America is wealthy compared to most in the word. that is a heart issue. that is why I say wealth is relative.

 

[Kathi]

Hello Kathi! A new day it is. I shall share my humble opinion of that verse from Matthew 19 (yet one more time). Passing a large pack animal through the tiny eye of a needle would be considered something difficult. Some would even say impossible, at least from man's viewpoint. So Jesus said in no uncertain terms that this nearly impossible feat is yet easier than that of a wealthy individual passing through the heavenly gates. It remains only what the reason for the difficulty is. My own theory for this reason differs apparently from others here, and holds closer to the actual words said (as an aside, I find this strange, because I have never considered myself a Biblical fundamentalist).

My interpretation is with wealth itself, and/or the lack thereof. Possession of great wealth is not a sin per se. It only makes very difficult, but not impossible, entrance to heaven. But there is the critical distinction, as "very difficult" can mean the ball game. The reason for the difficulty is not a part of the literal scripture, and thus is a matter of interpretation. I have my own interpretation, which I try to make clear is a personal interpretation, as is everyone else's.

My interpretation is that to come to God, a person must have a sense of emptiness. Wealth tends to fill that emptiness, though not necessarily in a spiritually healthy way. Another member here has in their signature a quote from a Leonard Cohen song, so I offer mine: "And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see Him". That kind of sums it up for me.

I just think that Christians should be very, very uncomfortable with large amounts of money.

Yes that makes sense.They figure "Why do I need God?I have it all".

 

[Kathi]

ok so the lowest wage earner in America is wealthy compared to most in the word. that is a heart issue. that is why I say wealth is relative.

The person who works at McDonalds is wealthy compared to many who are in poverty in Africa.I once worked with a lady who had been in America for a few years.She was very difficult to understand because of her very thick accent.She told us that "You Americans are spoiled.You have soap to wash your dishes and bathe your bodies.You have much".

 

[KevinK]

Yes that makes sense.They figure "Why do I need God?I have it all".

Yes! I think a tragic number of people spool that algorithm in their heads, and it just shuts out the Almighty.

 

[Kathi]

Yes! I think a tragic number of people spool that algorithm in their heads, and it just shuts out the Almighty.

It is a Blessing to be in need.

 

[WIP]

Please tell me what Jesus was talking about regarding the verse "camel through a needle's eye".

I've always understood the point of this lesson to demonstrate how difficult it is for a wealthy person (technically most any person) to enter the kingdom of heaven because we value our wealth too much. Wealth does not necessarily have to be filthy rich either nor does it have to be in the form of money. It can be possessions, fame, fortune, or anything that we value as a measure of our success or holds us back from following Jesus. When Jesus told the man to sell everything he had he was sad because he valued his wealth too much placing its value above the kingdom of heaven. For if he did not, he would jump at the chance to do exactly as Jesus suggested

How many of us are truly willing to give up everything we have in this life - money, career, popularity, fame, fortune, our homes, our possessions, even our family and friends for the sake of following Jesus? What Jesus asks is a very tall order indeed.

 

[Kathi]

I've always understood the point of this lesson to demonstrate how difficult it is for a wealthy person (technically most any person) to enter the kingdom of heaven because we value our wealth too much. Wealth does not necessarily have to be filthy rich either nor does it have to be in the form of money. It can be possessions, fame, fortune, or anything that we value as a measure of our success or holds us back from following Jesus. When Jesus told the man to sell everything he had he was sad because he valued his wealth too much placing its value above the kingdom of heaven. For if he did not, he would jump at the chance to do exactly as Jesus suggested

How many of us are truly willing to give up everything we have in this life - money, career, popularity, fame, fortune, our homes, our possessions, even our family and friends for the sake of following Jesus? What Jesus asks is a very tall order indeed.

Is it "MY PRECIOUS"??

 

[JLB]

Is it "MY PRECIOUS"

My what beautiful eyes you have.

 

[Kathi]

My what beautiful eyes you have.

I thought you would admire the teeth first