Jesus said it is harder for a richman to enter heaven then for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle?

Question

then will not American Christians have the hardest time obtaining salvation?

Answer 1

Ahh see... Jesus said it was difficult but not impossible.

It may help to point out an interesting fact. Did you know thatthat they eye of the needle is not actually the eye of a needle.. it's a gate that was built in the walls of Jerusalem that was large enough for a man to walk through but way too small for the cales they were travelling on to go through unless the crawled on their knees. This, however, would mean that the people riding the camels would have to come off and lead them through it.. which would make it that much harder for them to attack the city. interesting huh?

Well see... all He was saying is that it may be difficult.. because most people who acquire great riches start thinking they can do it all themselves and forget about God. But our whole lives as Christians are difficult. It doesnt mean it's impossible though :)

Don't give up hope! God Bless

Answer 2

It was an ambiguous translation. Makes sense in Aramaic however.
An alternative linguistic explanation is taken from George M Lamsa's Syriac-Aramaic Peshitta translation2 which has the word 'rope' in the main text but a footnote on Matthew 19:24 which states that the Aramaic word gamla means rope and camel, possibly because the ropes were made from camel hair. Evidence for this also comes from the 10th century Aramaic lexicographer Mar Bahlul who gives the meaning as a "a large rope used to bind ships".

Answer 3

In Jerusalem the "eye of the needle" was the name for a small archway into the city. A camel had to be stripped down of all of its cargo and squeeze through the eye to get into the city. The metaphor is to illustrate that, while a rich man can get into heaven, he must be humble and be willing to give up his riches and attachment to earthly things to gain admittance. This is the case for everyone, though. Whether rich or poor, if we try to remain more attached to earthly ideals and possessions than to doing the steps necessary to attain salvation, we're not going to make it.

Answer 4

the attention of the needle suggested thus became no longer a sewing needle. It became the call for a small gate of the city that should enable a guy, or an unladen camel to bypass via. It became many times used at night whilst the main gates have been closed.

Answer 5

He said it was hard but not impossible, though we are called to give up anything God asks us to for his sake-- to teach the gospel. Some American Christians are really genuine in their faith and that's all that matters. But yes Christians from third world countries find it easier to focas on God not the riches of this world, most of the time all they have to sustain them is the fact that some day they will share in the kingdom of God. Sorry if this doesn't make sense.

Answer 6

The rich man wouldn't give up his possessions, Even though he said he wanted to follow Jesus. Why were the rich mans possessions more important to him?
Being rich does not mean a person cannot follow Jesus. The scripture tells us not to put importance on possessions.
By the by, not all Americans are rich.

Answer 7

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "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 someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible." Mark (10:17-27)

I WITH MY WHOLE HEART BELIEVE JOHN 3:16

Answer 8

This is believe it or not a loaded question. I believe that because of the comfortable state of mind that people in America are in, that yes it will be hardest for them to listen. However, it will be no harder for me or you or anyone for that matter to obtain salvation. Because God will turn no one down if they truly believe.

Answer 9

No, not all. RICH American Christians will though, just as Rich Canadian Christians, Rich Muslims, Rich Buddists, Rich Pagans....

Jesus didn't meantion which paticular faith or religion...did he?

Answer 10

Yep.

***edit***

Proverbs 30:7-9 (NIV)

"Two things I ask of you, O LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:

Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.


[BTW, do you have a point?or are you genuinely concerned?]