How Much Money
Is Too Much Money?
A visitor to "Pulpit of the Last Days" presented this question…
“Do you believe that the Lord really meant it's easier for a rich man to get into heaven that for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle? Because I'm rich, and I don't think I should be punished for it. And I also wonder if you're still considered a rich man after you die, because technically you're broke and your beneficiaries have your inheritance.”
Here is the (edited) response was given to questioner (by me via email).
The context of the verse is important. The passage is in Luke 18:18-27 (crf. Matt. 19:16–26; Mark 10:17–27). Verses 18-25 ““Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For 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.”” [1]
Situation: A rich man, who had followed ‘Mosaic Law’, questions Jesus on what was required for salvation (entry into the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’). Jesus responded that he needed to sell all that he owned and give it to the poor. The rich ruler left disappointed because he was very rich.
“Do you believe that the Lord really meant it's easier for a rich man to get into heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle?”
No, but why? It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of needle than a rich man to get into heaven.
What was the point? There is an old saying, “Home is where the heart is.” Loren (one of POLD’s authors) quotes 1 Timothy 6:10 that says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
The rich young ruler had a problem - his heart was in his money. “Because I'm rich, and I don't think I should be punished for it.”
One does not face punishment for being rich. Wealth is a handicap. It is hard to serve God when one is wealthy, because the ‘love of money’ is a tough competitor. In fact, in the four gospels there are more verses about money than any other subject! Specifically, Luke 16:13 (crf. Matthew 6:24) addresses the subject very pointedly, ““No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [riches].”” Jesus was speaking here.
There is hope. At the end of the story of the “Rich Young Ruler”, the disciples asked Jesus about His declaration. Verse 26, “And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”” Obviously, the disciples were having as much trouble with the concept as you are. Jesus answered in verse 27, “But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.””
The question is where are you willing to put your heart? It is not the suggestion one has to divest themselves of all wealth. It is obvious though, from your (the questioner’s) blog, that ‘Money’ has been your ‘Master’ for the greater part of your life. Salvation requires a little more than lip service - it means changing your ‘Master’. It does not mean you can not keep your wealth. The New Testament talks a great deal about ‘Stewardship’. That is faithfully caring for ‘everything’ that has been entrusted to one. [2] A wealthy person must therefore faithfully care for the wealth they have been entrusted.
Again, it goes back to the ‘heart’ - Caring for great wealth as a duty to God, is different from caring for great wealth as a god.
There is a story in the New Testament about a rich man that did get into heaven. There was a person that was more than rich. He had material wealth. More than wealthy, he was powerful. He was effectively more powerful than any President (of the United States) or any CEO. This man had ‘diplomatic credentials’, he was legally ‘untouchable. He was also a Jurist. Not like a justice in today’s society, this man was prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner. He literally had the power of life and death - at his word. There was no trial, and no appeals. If he accused someone - that person died. He was infamous. He could give the order for people to die. It was Christians he accused, and executed. How hard would it be for him to get into heaven?
As Paul Harvey would say, “Now for the rest of the story.” He was not only ‘saved’, he became one of the most important figures in Christianity (always pointing to Jesus - not himself). His name was Saul of Tarsus. After he became a ‘Christian’, his name was changed to Paul. He wrote more than half of the New Testament. He started more churches than all the other disciples combined did.
Of his own life, he wrote, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure [death] is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4-6-8
It is obvious where this rich man’s heart was. The question again is where is your heart?
As to, “And I also wonder if you're still considered a rich man after you die, because technically you're broke and you beneficiaries have your inheritance.”
A couple of verses instantly come to mind: Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” After you die - it is a little late to try to get into heaven. Matthew 6:20-21, “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” You can not take it with you, but you can send it on ahead - so technically one does not have to be broke…
The title asks this question, “How much money is too much money?” The answer is $1. If $1 is where one’s heart is - if it is one’s god it is too much. In fact, the lack of money can make things almost as difficult. [2]
Two (of my) articles I recommend:
First
What Was His Name or How Simple is That?
Second the three part article ‘Judged’
Dead and Judged - Judged Part 1
Escape Condemnation - Judged Part 2
Back Door to Heaven - Judged Part 3
(All articles are in the archive links from this page)
[1] Over the years, there have been commentaries that say, “The Eye of the Needle” was a colloquialism referring to a geographical location (a gate in the wall of Jerusalem, a passage through the mountains near Petra, etc.). Each of these alleged places were extraordinarily difficult for a camel to pass through, but possible. Looking at the context of the verse, verse 27, “But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”” Jesus did not say, “things which are extremely difficult for men” He said, “impossible”. The context makes it plain that Jesus was not talking about some difficult task or colloquially understood place. He was talking about the difference between man’s abilities versus God’s abilities.
[2] On the Unchained Slave - Free To Serve blog is a great deal about stewardship, money and debt (the lack of money - and slavery).
“Do you believe that the Lord really meant it's easier for a rich man to get into heaven that for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle? Because I'm rich, and I don't think I should be punished for it. And I also wonder if you're still considered a rich man after you die, because technically you're broke and your beneficiaries have your inheritance.”
Here is the (edited) response was given to questioner (by me via email).
The context of the verse is important. The passage is in Luke 18:18-27 (crf. Matt. 19:16–26; Mark 10:17–27). Verses 18-25 ““Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For 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.”” [1]
Situation: A rich man, who had followed ‘Mosaic Law’, questions Jesus on what was required for salvation (entry into the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’). Jesus responded that he needed to sell all that he owned and give it to the poor. The rich ruler left disappointed because he was very rich.
“Do you believe that the Lord really meant it's easier for a rich man to get into heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle?”
No, but why? It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of needle than a rich man to get into heaven.
What was the point? There is an old saying, “Home is where the heart is.” Loren (one of POLD’s authors) quotes 1 Timothy 6:10 that says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
The rich young ruler had a problem - his heart was in his money. “Because I'm rich, and I don't think I should be punished for it.”
One does not face punishment for being rich. Wealth is a handicap. It is hard to serve God when one is wealthy, because the ‘love of money’ is a tough competitor. In fact, in the four gospels there are more verses about money than any other subject! Specifically, Luke 16:13 (crf. Matthew 6:24) addresses the subject very pointedly, ““No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [riches].”” Jesus was speaking here.
There is hope. At the end of the story of the “Rich Young Ruler”, the disciples asked Jesus about His declaration. Verse 26, “And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”” Obviously, the disciples were having as much trouble with the concept as you are. Jesus answered in verse 27, “But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.””
The question is where are you willing to put your heart? It is not the suggestion one has to divest themselves of all wealth. It is obvious though, from your (the questioner’s) blog, that ‘Money’ has been your ‘Master’ for the greater part of your life. Salvation requires a little more than lip service - it means changing your ‘Master’. It does not mean you can not keep your wealth. The New Testament talks a great deal about ‘Stewardship’. That is faithfully caring for ‘everything’ that has been entrusted to one. [2] A wealthy person must therefore faithfully care for the wealth they have been entrusted.
Again, it goes back to the ‘heart’ - Caring for great wealth as a duty to God, is different from caring for great wealth as a god.
There is a story in the New Testament about a rich man that did get into heaven. There was a person that was more than rich. He had material wealth. More than wealthy, he was powerful. He was effectively more powerful than any President (of the United States) or any CEO. This man had ‘diplomatic credentials’, he was legally ‘untouchable. He was also a Jurist. Not like a justice in today’s society, this man was prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner. He literally had the power of life and death - at his word. There was no trial, and no appeals. If he accused someone - that person died. He was infamous. He could give the order for people to die. It was Christians he accused, and executed. How hard would it be for him to get into heaven?
As Paul Harvey would say, “Now for the rest of the story.” He was not only ‘saved’, he became one of the most important figures in Christianity (always pointing to Jesus - not himself). His name was Saul of Tarsus. After he became a ‘Christian’, his name was changed to Paul. He wrote more than half of the New Testament. He started more churches than all the other disciples combined did.
Of his own life, he wrote, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure [death] is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4-6-8
It is obvious where this rich man’s heart was. The question again is where is your heart?
As to, “And I also wonder if you're still considered a rich man after you die, because technically you're broke and you beneficiaries have your inheritance.”
A couple of verses instantly come to mind: Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” After you die - it is a little late to try to get into heaven. Matthew 6:20-21, “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” You can not take it with you, but you can send it on ahead - so technically one does not have to be broke…
The title asks this question, “How much money is too much money?” The answer is $1. If $1 is where one’s heart is - if it is one’s god it is too much. In fact, the lack of money can make things almost as difficult. [2]
Two (of my) articles I recommend:
First
What Was His Name or How Simple is That?
Second the three part article ‘Judged’
Dead and Judged - Judged Part 1
Escape Condemnation - Judged Part 2
Back Door to Heaven - Judged Part 3
(All articles are in the archive links from this page)
[1] Over the years, there have been commentaries that say, “The Eye of the Needle” was a colloquialism referring to a geographical location (a gate in the wall of Jerusalem, a passage through the mountains near Petra, etc.). Each of these alleged places were extraordinarily difficult for a camel to pass through, but possible. Looking at the context of the verse, verse 27, “But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”” Jesus did not say, “things which are extremely difficult for men” He said, “impossible”. The context makes it plain that Jesus was not talking about some difficult task or colloquially understood place. He was talking about the difference between man’s abilities versus God’s abilities.
[2] On the Unchained Slave - Free To Serve blog is a great deal about stewardship, money and debt (the lack of money - and slavery).
posted by Unchained Slave at 11:00 AM
1 Comments:
Hi David,
I knew you'd give a good answer, not just because you know the Bible but because you know the Lord's heart in the matter, which is the really important context.
When I first became a Christian I was very poor, yet God met all of my needs. In fact, it was almost Christmas time and I never wanted to pass up one of those salvation army bell ringers. And the Lord showed me something important through that:
A person who can be generous and charitable need never fear making money into a god. He will control it, rather than it having control over him; because he has the ability to give it away, it will have no hold on him.
Thus the key is in a stewardship mentality, in understanding that the money is actually the Lord's and making it your aim to please Him in how you employ it.
Thanks again for the good words and your faithfulness in your financial blog.
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