2006-12-20 03:43:13 · 22 answers · asked by EJV 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The "rich" are those who have become more obsessed with the riches of the world than helping others and being christlike. theres nothing wrong with being rich, as long as you understand that it is because of the blessing of christ you have everything, and you help those in need.
2006-12-20 03:49:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, the rich. People who are so consumed with money that they can't concentrate on their souls. Jesus also spoke about the rich sharing their money with the poor - you might assume that a 'good' rich person wouldn't be rich any more. And it wasn't that their entry to heaven would be worse, it was that it was more likely for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to go to heaven.
2006-12-20 03:48:31 · answer #2 · answered by jane7 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The "rich" of Jesus Christ's time were those who held the most agricultural and propietal assets. There was no currency at that time, so wealth certainly wasn't something measured by money. Also, modern bibles have underwent many translations over the years. Do consider that the concept of a wealthy or "rich" person has changed as societies have changed and evolved over time. So what is translated at "rich" or "wealthy" today may have been something considerably different when it was actually written.
The most logical translation of this verse to modern times might be: "Those who value money and possession over others (and God's will) are not living according to the will of God."
This would make it quite difficult for MANY, even most, westerners to pass through the "eye" of this proverbial "needle".
Most people in modern western societies have been taught / conditioned (perhaps subconciously) to value money, profit, and possessions more than anything else.
It is very ironic that christianity, a religion which philosophically bases itself on treating one another very kindly and forgivingly, is very popular in the most capitalistic societies on earth, where people are often ignored in the name of profit and wealth accumulation.
-John Paul
"The loudest are seldomly the most right."
2006-12-20 03:58:14 · answer #3 · answered by Jape Coyote 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The camel/needle reference is how likely a rich person is to get into heaven.
He was trying to show the spiritual change that has to happen to get to heaven, and feels that a rich person has little chance of dropping the other things in his life to ponder himself and God for long enough to make that change. You are rich if you are too busy with the world to make time for God. (Sorry, I need more time to come up w/ a better answer).
2006-12-20 03:46:42 · answer #4 · answered by wayfaroutthere 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Those who think more of their money or possessions, than they do God's word. The bible gave several examples of people who thought this way: The rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-24 and the rich man who went to hell (Luke 16:19-31). However, there were also rich men who served God faithfully: Solomon and David, both who were kings, exceedingly wealthy, but faithful to God. It's not impossible to be rich and go to heaven, if that's where your focus is, but if money and power is all you think about, it will be very difficult for you to put aside your lusts to focus on God.
2006-12-20 04:04:04 · answer #5 · answered by aaronrbrundidge 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the attention of a needle isn't a stitching needle. In historical situations walled cities had entrances referred to as eye of a needle. those have been low narrow entrances that only allowed people to head into the city one by one. This replaced into performed to thwart invading armies by utilising proscribing the quantity of invading troops that could desire to enter jointly. retailers consistently had to leave their camels outdoors the city partitions because of the fact camels have been too great to bypass interior the direction of the attention of a needle. So, you are able to bypass an entire carton of camel cigarettes interior the direction of the attention of a needle with none issues. Your quandary is resolved.
2016-10-05 13:18:48 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has historical context. The eye of the needle was a gate that entered the old city of Jeruselem. The camels were packed with goods. If they were too wide, they could not pass through the gate.
2006-12-20 03:45:49 · answer #7 · answered by jmmevolve 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was talking about people who cling too much over "stuff" instead of being willing to give it all up without worrying about it. A person who is still clinging to things of the world will have a hard time getting to Heaven b/c you should be worried about what gifts your soul has, (love, forgiveness, etc) instead of a new BMW.
2006-12-20 03:53:24 · answer #8 · answered by BrutalBaby 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd think from Jesus' humanitarian doctrine that it would mean the "greedy" rich, and since most wealthy people are greedy, it's fair to say most of them. Western mentalities, even among the poor nowadays, are too egocentric to attempt getting a handle on "selflessness", and that's what I think that's what Jesus had in mind. Love your neighbor as you would yourself, right?
2006-12-20 03:53:59 · answer #9 · answered by heartmindspace 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These "rich" are any one who has more than enough to live on (plus some put away for the unexpected) but do not help those in need.
2006-12-20 03:51:31 · answer #10 · answered by tim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋