Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.?

Question

"If you are financially successful in life you go to hell. God doesn't like winners. well that too but weak minded are those who need religion the most. Even the bible knows that." THIS WAS an answer to the above Question; Now, Financially successful people often have what we call "Skeletons in the closets." Meaning there were things, or routes they took to get to the position they are. And the rich often look at the poor in a rather vague way. There was a rumor that I heard of a certian actor, who when they stayed at a 5 star hotel, the employees were to look down when the star was around. And this man would be called a winner? Money is power and greed soon follows. Vanity takes over. Arrogance becomes a philosophy. And the world becomes a material list. Now the few "Rich" who do the opposite stand a better chance. No? (Hey you want 10 points; just reply...I just wanted to MAKE A POINT...

Funaholic: That's not necessarily true. You can still be rich, but the trick of wealthy is how to spread it, not keep it. I mean if you have enough to keep you can your family stable & do what you need to do, then couldn't you use the rest to help others? I mean you DO have enough, right?

Kallen: King Solomon kept in touch with his people and took care of them. Yeah he was a Bill Clinton, but hey we are not perfect.

Tom: Maybe Philosophy is not your thing. You need to relook at my question, buddy. =)

Berean: Good point. Job comes to mind on this topic... =)

CoCo: I really respect that answer and the motto. (Gotta make this short, my kid is banging her head on my laptop...Doh!) =)

Answer 1

The 10 points are as good as mine.

Answer 2

Some how I sincerely doubt that being financially succesful in life condemns you to hell. Even in the Christian view.

Instead it's what you do with your life. If you put wealth before all else then you may be in for some strife. You have no value for others. But not all people with wealth are like this. Some won't flaunt their wealth or make you less then them.

I think people become critical of the wealthly because they do not have the same money. They crave having that amount. So we think that there has to be some fault with the wealthly. Rumors abound. Supposed dark secrets are aired. When in reality the truth is often different. Even you promote a rumor about an actor - there are no facts. Just something spread around.

Yes there are some people who treat others like scum because they do not have money. But not all are like that.

I have a problem with blaming the rich - or thinking that they owe us something. They work hard for their money - and fought to get were they are.

Answer 3

When Jesus says that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:23-24), he was clealy stating that the pursuit of riches before all else was a stumbling block to salvation. Riches are perilous:
see also Mark 4:19 and 1 Timothy 6:9.

Answer 4

I do not know where the person got their answer. Certainly not from the Bible. Jesus was NOT referring to material wealth in this world. He was talking about being "poor in spirit". This means that a person recongnizes their "spiritual bankruptsy" before God. They have NOTHING to offer God. It is only by His Grace & Mercy that anyone gets into His Kingdom. Most people simply cannot swallow their PRIDE and admit this. They think that they actually have SOMETHING to offer God. But if they were actually able to please God, then God would not have had to send His Son. It IS harder in a sense for a "rich" man to enter heaven, because he obviously has more of a "grip" on this world. As Jesus said,"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". He wants our hearts. A person who is poor in worldly wealth obviously feels they have less to lose by coming to Christ. So in short, Jesus doesnt really want the rich mans money, He just wants him to be WILLING to give it to Him. The poor in spirit KNOW they need help. But even a rich person can reach a point in life where they are "poor in spirit". That is, they recongnize their need for the Savior. Its just harder. As one writer put it: "God wants to give us something, but He cant, because our hands are full.". Hope that helps.....theBerean

Answer 5

You have it all wrong. The successful do not "go to hell" just because they are successful. God grants success to many. The Bible teachings are directed at the rich and poor alike. And you do have to sell all your riches to give to the poor to be a Christian.
These are misconceptions. Studying the Bible for oneself instead of studying how others use or misuse it is the only way to enlightenment.

Answer 6

...In The Book...Matthew Chapter 5... (New Testament) Jesus was preaching a message that is difficult to understand if you are "thinking" Earthly... things like... "the first shall be last and the last shall be first"... you see, in Earthly thought...that doesn't make any sense... and even if you had all the Worlds riches... what is the price of your soul...? what can you offer God to redeem you...? It's all Spiritual... He is trying to prepare you...(us) for something unbelievable (in this World). He trying to convey that there is more then "bling-bling" and "barbie" and "ride" and "stuff"... On the day when "we", yes... you and me... someday... "step into eternity" (which by the way is only a heart beat away) will be have prepared our self for that Supernatural transformation......? He explains it all in The Book.......

Answer 7

blessed are the poor "in spirit", for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,...

Isn't that Jesus claimed to have come, not for the righteous but for the sinners. He was sent to save those who needs to be saved. Those who needs help. Those who has yet to see God's salvation.

If one is already a believer, who is already rich in spirit, the kingdom of heaven is already theirs. It is within their grasp. They already know and feel the presence of the Lord. They live already according to His words. And since, they are already in this stage that they are called to work with God, to preach His Gospel and spread His works.

Blessed is everyone, for we are all children of God. Be we poor or rich in spirit, ours is the kingdom of Heaven.

Now with regards to money/power/greed/winners. Even the most successful person who without belief in the Greatest glory of God and who does not treat others with the respect that begets him shall find not pleasure or fulfillment in anything.

How rich a person is lies on how he values life.

Answer 8

The person who provided that answer has no understanding of Godly things. What else can be expected of one who doesn't seek after God. Jesus was saying that those who are not ruled by pride, or can set it aside to seek God are blessed, they can see their shortcomings and their unworthiness of Heaven. The rich have a tendancy to rely upon their riches instead of upon God, but it doesn't mean that just because one is rich, he WILL go to hell.

Answer 9

You didn't,t make any point, Sounds like someone,s just jealous Your Philosophy, is twisted, and yes i,m dirt poor so what, God makes the rich and the poor, and everyone in between, And i,m happy for anyone, who is able to have life, easier than most of us. But I would look any actor straight in the eyes, if they should expect me not to,..Cause Homey, don,t play those games.

Answer 10

I have known some wealthy people who have used their money to help others. A lot of their money goes to help with humanitarian projects, or to food banks, or homeless shelters. This particular person has been a very upstanding member of society, and is spoken of very highly in my church. It isn't because he has money, it's because of what he DOES with his money.

Poor in spirit doesn't mean poor in worldly things. It means teachable. Even if you have money, you can still be teachable. That's what separates the selfish wealthy with the giving wealthy.

If you can use your money to better someone else, then all the better to have money. This man I'm speaking of has founded a scholarship program for low-income students who want to go to college. He puts millions in that account each year. He also personally sponsors many kids that want to better themselves. He owns his own company and gives many people work. He helps the members of our church to be able to provide for their own families, and he pays really well for them to work for him. He's a great guy and one that will for sure not be excluded for heaven.

I do know others who are selfish with what they have. I don't think you really have to be rich for this to apply. I think it's the spirit you have with what you have that counts.