What did Jesus mean when he said "Woe to you who are rich"?

Question

In Luke 6:24, Jesus says:

"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort."

Can someone please tell me what this means?

Answer 1

Benny Hinn and Pat Robertson are in deep ****.

Answer 2

Jesus was a religious teacher who in the tradition of the Hebrew prophets opposed the social injustices of his day. The same ones that are around today.

The rich and powerful were treated better than the poor just like today. Only the gap between the two was even more severe in that time and place. Jesus' taught that people should not be concerned with becoming rich. Riches corrupt.
Like other great spiritual figures, Jesus wanted to get rid of the inequality that wealth caused and all of the suffering and inhuman behavior that goes along with that.

Answer 3

They should not expect the rewards of Heaven because they have already received their comfort on Earth. Jesus wanted rich men to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, etc. If they have money and people are still going hungry, they did not do as Jesus said, and will therefore find it impossible to enter Heaven.

Mar 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Jam 5:3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire.

Answer 4

The rich tend to trust in their wealth and not God and may make their riches their god.

Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Verses 24, 25, 26
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye received your consolation. Woe unto you, ye that are full now! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you, ye that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets.

Regarding the four "woes" Jesus uttered here, Boles said:

These words were not the expression of anger, but of lamentation and warning. "Woe unto you," or "alas for you!" Jesus is not uttering condemnation as a judge; but as the great Teacher and Prophet, he declares the miserable condition of certain classes and warns them against it. F24
Here again, it is the eternal fate of men who live for money, entertainment, and fame which is in focus. This is not the prophecy of some social revolution that will destroy the rich, etc.; but it is a warning of the final judgment.

The false prophets ...
Coupled with Luke 6:20, where it is made clear that the thrust of these verses is directed at the apostles themselves, there appears a contrast between the holy apostles who have become poor, leaving all that they had, and even hungry, as just seen in the grainfields, and the false prophets who were made rich by their sacrifice of truth and through pandering to the depraved desires of rebellious Israel. The false prophets did indeed receive the emoluments which adorned their apostasy: riches, food, entertainment and popularity. As Summers noted, "In the history of Israel, Amos, for instance, had been condemned while Amaziah was praised." F25

Answer 5

I think he meant to say that if someone is rich(he has more material things then the average people), his soul is very attached to these things and it is very hard for him to love God and the humans. It's not because God doesn't want the rich to go in Heaven, it's because the one who's rich will make the right choises with more difficulty then a poor man. The poor man has nothing to lose, materialy.
I don't know if I have succeeded in explainig what I think, but I hope it's ok like that.

Answer 6

woe to those who have found comfort in money....allot of people who are rich seem to be self involved and possibly over educated in the ares of logic (some not all) so maybe people who are not distracted by spending or making their money have more time and appreciation for the love of God and family.

Answer 7

If you're rich and live a life of comfort you're alomost certain to descend into moral degeneracy. Hardship in life is the key to personal growth. You can never be a complete person if you don't suffer and learn from the experience.

Answer 8

He was saying that the rich are those who seek comfort during the finite life while the really smart people know to wait until they have comfort during the eternal afterlife.

Not what I beleive, but it's what he said.

Answer 9

It means that rich people, who have alot materially, are tempted to rely on and trust in their riches, instead of relying on and trusting in God.
It would not be impossible for a rich man to become a follower of Jesus, but it would often be difficult.

Answer 10

you seek riches all your life and it is the only comfort you will receive in life,from what you can do with it,where your heart is is where you stand with god,not all rich people keep their riches to themselves,they do share.Jesus told his followers to keep what's necessary to live on and give the rest to the poor. Only one life to live and that will soon pass,only what you do for Christ will last.

Answer 11

im not Jesus, but i think he meant that if you have lots and lots and lots of money, more than you need, then it shows that you might not be the most giving person, because if you were, you would give some to others that are in need. and if you really want to be that spoiled down here, fine, but then dont expect to have the same treatment up there...

but thats just what i think, again, im not Jesus...