I got an email recently with this link in it.
Jesus’ message is clear—it is impossible for anyone to be saved on his own merits. Since wealth was seen as proof of God’s approval, it was commonly taught by the rabbis that rich people were blessed by God and were, therefore, the most likely candidates for heaven. Jesus destroyed that notion, and along with it, the idea that anyone can earn eternal life. The disciples had the appropriate response to this startling statement. They were utterly amazed and asked, “Who then can be saved?” in the next verse. If the wealthy among them, which included the super-spiritual Pharisees and scribes, were unworthy of heaven, what hope was there for a poor man?
Jesus’ answer is the basis of the gospel: "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Matthew 19:26). Men are saved through God’s gifts of grace, mercy, and faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nothing we do earns salvation for us. It is the poor in spirit who inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:3), those who recognize their spiritual poverty and their utter inability to do anything to justify themselves to a holy God. The rich man so often is blind to his spiritual poverty because he is proud of his accomplishments and has contented himself with his wealth. He is as likely to humble himself before God as a camel is to crawl through the eye of a needle.
Very well written.
6 comments:
YOu'll note that throughout the New Testament Jesus never had one good thing to say about the rich.
Quite true, Gina. That's why I don't understand how Christian dominionists justify themselves.
You'll also not that throughout the New Testament Jesus never condemns wealth as intrinsically evil.
"But woe unto you that are RICH! for ye have received your consolation.
"Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep." (Luke 6:24-25)
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a RICH man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 19:23)
Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
"Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
"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. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. (James 5:1-3)
"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." (Matt. 19:24)
“Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back” (Luke 6.30).
True that Jesus never straight up said "Rich people are evil," but it is clear that the message is pro-poor. And the
"woe" he gave to the rich, that is considered a curse.
Just a few verses.
So he is cursing those who do not hunger, those that laugh?
I don't think I would go that far.
How about, warning that wealth could easily hinder one from fully committing to God?
The emphasis isn't that the wealth is evil, but that the actions taken to gain it and keep it could easily be counter to the actions Jesus preached.
Oh, and I just thought of this....
Considering that Mark has argued long and hard that the ONLY thing that matters in order to get into heaven is that one believes in Jesus - I have to question why he would even post this.
According to Mark, a rich man should have no problem entering the kingdom of heaven if he only believes in Jesus.
But here he claims that wealth is a barrier.
'Tis confusing trying to keep straight Mark's inconsistencies.
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