Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Matthew 19:24 "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 19:24 "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man [who places his faith in wealth and status] to enter the kingdom of God." |
Bible Question: Matt 19:24 puzzles me as it would seem that the rich cannot enter "the Kingdom of God" so what must they do ? Jesus doesn't seem to condemn being wealth as long as one believes in Christ, not so ? |
Bible Answer: Widow's Two Mites. Jesus told many stories that privilege the poor. This story is a great one -- where Jesus honours this poor woman’s contribution over the large contributions of the wealthy. See Mark 12:41-44. Interesting that Jesus did not say the wealth of the rich was bad --- but pointed out their attitude, and focused on the poor. I think the "prosperity gospel" is certainly a distortion of the self sacrifice I find in the New Testiment. A certain TV host made a display of generosity, giving gifts to African kids at Christmas. While these gifts are helpful, the giver certainly didn’t feel any cost. North Americans, in general, have an astonishing degree of privilege and wealth. Sometimes giving is merely tokenism and sentimental. Our economic systems have detrimental human costs, and environmental costs. How we use our resources - our stewardship - is an issue of justice, and we need to work a lot harder at it. This is certainly an area I struggle with --- how to live it out --- especially when my income fluctuates through the year.... and my work is considered a luxury product purchased by those with “disposable incomes”! So, some difficulty indeed. Another difficult (and freeing) thing Jesus said is Matthew 10:9-10, where Jesus sends out the twelve disciples to preach for the first time. Jesus tells them..."Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep." Peace. JRM. |