Other than being able to thread a camel through the eye of a needle.
2006-08-23 10:36:06 · 23 answers · asked by Sqwrll F 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I was asked many times to define rich. Hording property/money ......excess.
If you gave away all but what you need/ sentimental about you would no longer be "rich"wealthy"etc by the common definition.
No one can work hard enough to deserve that much more of our shared world...time makes it impossible. These people who give it all away are not rich.
Rich is a lifestyle of greed and rationalizing selfishness... for instance most of the richest people I know dont think they are rich, in thier minds they never will have enough.
2006-08-24 06:06:43 · update #1
Its not the money that counts it's what one does with it.
The Eye of The Needle is/was a very small gate in the Wall of Jerusalem. Impossible for a camel--just wide enough for a thin man to get through.
2006-08-23 10:41:17 · answer #1 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Define "rich", please. A thousand bucks in your checkbook? A million? How about just not going into the red at the end of the month? There is no dollar amount clarified in my book's translation.
What do we do with our "worldly goods"? If we use our gains for the better of others -- Matthew 25 -- then we are being stewards of those gifts. If we covet and horde, we are at a loss. No amount of money, riches, will matter in the end. The commandment is stewardship, with whatever -- and everything -- we have.
It's as futile as trying to "thread a camel through the eye of a needle", or whatever phrase you can come up with that means an impossibility. It's not the fact of wealth, but what you do with what you've been given.
I've known people with many assets who are wonderful stewards, as well as amazingly selfish people with hardly a dime. Which ones of these are trying to thread that needle? The answer is not so obvious.
2006-08-23 17:51:41 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 'eye of the needle' is not the sewing needle; it's a very narrow passageway into a city - very very difficult but not impossible to get a camel through. The message is meant to say not that being rich is sinful or wrong but that attachment to the world and its short-lived offerings will make the world the center of one's attention and value system and the person will have a great deal of trouble seeing where real value (peace of mind, happiness) is - in THIS life.
2006-08-23 17:51:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe what Jesus meant about leaving your treasures behind is just the attachments to it. Mostly those are the baggages you carry on your shoulder behind like your anger, insecurities, pride and possessions. If that was the idea, then no rich people would join the religion. In fact, the rich were mostly the biggest contributors to the magnificent churches and temples. And it is very possible the prayers offered for them to be in heaven are far more audible than ordinary people like me ( i cannot buy loud speakers).
2006-08-23 17:48:24 · answer #4 · answered by Rallie Florencio C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because we are all God's children and he never gives up on us.
And, a lot of rich religious people use their money for the betterment of society - ie donations to important causes. Some rich people give their estates to charity when they die, not their family. Not all rich people are bad people... Look at Bill Gates. He donates A LOT of money each year to so many good causes. So, personally I don't mind that he has a nice car and a nice house....
2006-08-23 17:44:53 · answer #5 · answered by snape4good 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no difference in rich or poor. In Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13. For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Anyone who asks for salvation receives it and rich or poor or any other difference doesn't matter.
2006-08-23 17:43:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that people will be treated all the same, however, it will be the meek that shall inherit the earth. What exactly is a rich person? Is it those who with money and possessions or is it a person who has good morals, a loving family who is fair and honest.
2006-08-23 17:46:10 · answer #7 · answered by b's wife 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What? I think that scripture is just saying it would be harder to be a christian if you were rich and i believe that it would. It did not mean that it is a sin to be rich. I know many wealthy Christians.
2006-08-23 17:41:25 · answer #8 · answered by gee-geeofmo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they do not believe in the Lord and money is their god then of course they will not.
Being rich or poor does not in and of itself justify anything. Go back and read your bible. You do have one don't you?
2006-08-23 17:42:04 · answer #9 · answered by John B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By following the Bible, perhaps.
2006-08-23 17:45:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋