Why do people want to be rich, even though Jesus said it took a miracle for a rich person to go to heaven?

Question

I know most would say, they just want to be "well off", but middle-class in the west is "rich" by the world's standard.

Answer 1

The desire for more. It haunts so many of us.

Answer 2

Jesus did say in Mark 10: 25 that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.

However you need to look at the rest of the text. In verses 17 up to 21 he was saying he wanted to follow Jesus.

Now look at verse 21

Mark 10:21- ''21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Jesus looked at him and loved him. Jesus knew what the rich man's response was going to be and he STILL loved him.
That is God.

Look also at verses 26 and 27

26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"

27Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Jesus was saying that men can't do it on their own, which is what the rich man was trying to do. With God it was possible and only through Him is it possible.

Jesus loves the rich as much as He loves the poor and these verses prove it.

Answer 3

I don't seek to be rich. In fact, I think it will lead you down the wrong path if you are only seeking to be rich.
There is nothing wrong with making money, and if God blesses you with great weath then praise Him for it. The pursuit of wealth will get you way more problems than money can solve.
The main thing is to not let money become your master.

Answer 4

Ironic of me to say this, considering I am typing on a computer, hooked up to the world via a cable modem, but I'm not a "stuff" person and I am usually happier the less I have.

My husband shares this view. A friend has fallen on hard times and I was looking at our bank account, trying to figure out how much I could afford to give her so she doesn't lose the apartment she shares with her son. My spouse asked how much I was planning on giving her, and before I could answer, named a figure even higher than I had planned. It makes me very happy to know that he also realizes it is not how much you have that matters, but how much you have given away.

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Answer 5

The reason it takes a miracle for a rich man to get into heaven is the fact that money has, or material things, become his God.

Answer 6

It is not a sin to be rich. If we are rich, the first thing we should do is pay a full and honest tithe. After we have done this we need to make sure all of our families needs and desires(within reason) have been met. Then any money that is left over needs to be used for savings and philanthropy. Again not a sin to be rich, if obtained w/ proper perspective.

Answer 7

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Rich Christians found the loop hole by making a giant needle that a camel could pass through.

Answer 8

It is just another example of the Bible creating unbelievable standard's for people. If you want to be rich go a head, no one is stopping you. I would rather be rich, then have a mental delusion called religion.

Answer 9

Because they want a worldly religion that tickles their ears, allowing them to have all that the world provides and ease their conscience. What they do not see is that they have "a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof..."(II Timothy 3:5)

Answer 10

Because it is the human nature to always want more, gratify self first.

Jesus said that as a warning to people.

Answer 11

Well, since I don't believe in a god, I do not fear what Jesus said about being rich.

That being said... I fully intend to become rich.