heaven. Jesus did not say that, what he said was it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, than a camel to go through the eye of a needle. He did not say it was impossible. I believe lots of rich people go to heaven, because they share their wealth with the poor. they are not all money mad. What do others think.
2007-06-20 08:57:54 · 14 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Three Christian Consultants at out local hospital spend their money, on a Christiam mission. I wont say where it is
but nurses to out there to help. Other Christian surgeons pray before they operate on a patient. People with money are not all bad, some of you must know people who are generous with their money.
2007-06-20 10:40:59 · update #1
I think what Jesus meant by that was not that it's a sin 2 b rich but the LOVE of money or greed, that is the difference...
2007-06-20 12:37:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
ok, first of all the saying it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than it is for a camel to go through an eye of a needle, is not what we think it is. In bible times, the camels had a hard time entering through a certain gate and they had to hunker down to do it. This is the "eye of the needle" spoken about. Not a sewing needle. It was difficult for the camels to enter through this particular gate, but many did on a regular basis. Faith is for all. The poor, the hungry, the middle class, the working man and the rich. Many times a poor man will turn to God a little quicker than a rich man because he sees his need. A rich man, though many are unhappy, sees himself as his own provider and is self sufficient. Many rich people will be in heaven. Many poor people will be in heaven. Likewise with hell.
2007-06-20 16:53:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is an uncomfortable truth.
You have to work really hard to get any ambiguity into this part of scripture. Christ was explicit. The rich good man who had always followed the commandments was advised to sell his possession, donate to the poor and follow Christ in order to go to heaven. This is clearly what Christ thought. Jesus then made his remarks about eye of needle etc...saying how hard it is for the rich to go to heaven.
Lets think about this a little.
Define rich.
For example is you have an income of USD $10,500, you are richer that 87% of the worlds population. An average european or US salery would make you in the worlds richest 5% worldwide. This is rich.
So, compare Christ's teachings with the "American dream." Which is more important, and how do you reconsile the two?
You can't. Not unless you work really hard to ignore scripture.
Will the average christian american get in to heaven?
Well eveyone likes to believe they will be the exception, so much more ....comforting........
2007-06-20 17:24:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
In actual fact the expression "A camel through the eye of a needle" refers to a gate in Jerusalem which was called the needle and was large enough for a man to walk through but no camel...however small could pass through.
However, People who are faithful to God may be prospered if God so chooses and God has made a lot of people rich...those people tything to the Church as part of their Faith.
Whether rich or poor....unless a man/woman is 'born again' of water and the Spirit, they will not enter the Kingdom of God.
How well off they are will not affect Gods will on the matter....what will affect it is their being 'saved' and their stewardship of what God has given them.
Best wishes, Mike.
2007-06-20 17:12:18 · answer #4 · answered by georgiansilver 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree, there are lots of lovely generous rich christians. Jesus meant that some people put their trust in money before God and put their love of money above all things, which is a hindrance to entering the kingdom
2007-06-21 06:29:32 · answer #5 · answered by good tree 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
23 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
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.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible
2007-06-20 16:18:32 · answer #6 · answered by Someone who cares 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If one uses his wealth in the service of God, then he is using his wealth properly. Most people, however, use their wealth for their own personal enjoyment, and do not use the money responsibly. Also, some people become very arrogant when they gain wealth, because they have gained power and prestige along with it. They become intoxicated with their own status, thinking that they are gods. Jesus preached that we should be humble.
One person I have respect for is Dale Carnegie. At the end of his life, he gave all of his wealth away. Philanthropy is just one responsibility of the wealthy.
2007-06-20 16:08:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. It is not having wealth that automatically excludes one from heaven, but trusting in wealth instead of Christ that excludes one from heaven. Many believers in the Bible were wealthy. However, this still does not condone the unbiblical prosperity teachings promoted by many evangelical preachers.
2007-06-20 16:02:30 · answer #8 · answered by helper725 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. Not all will go but some will, it just depends on if they are saved or not. Jesus never said they couldn't go, it's just harder for them to go because money does things to people, and sometimes people put their money above God. But not all of them do. It just depends on the person and whether there saved or not, it depends on their heart.
2007-06-20 16:02:48 · answer #9 · answered by rachel t 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeh if the rich want to go to heaven
they should off load some if not all
their cash onto me,cause im not particular
where i go when im a stiff,heaven or hell
who gives a damn anyway.start sending your money to me
right away ok,just to be on the safe side
2007-06-20 16:54:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋