Will all the rich be punished?

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Giod888

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I read Jesus’ famous quote:
[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 19:24[/BIBLEDRB]
Now, this question has been in my mind for a a while since then: Does he mean all the rich, or only the rich who are corrupted by their money and greed?
 
NO - Not all will be punished.

Most probably will, but certainly not all.

Did you read the rest of the passage on this??

25 When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

There are a number of factors involved in this.
How the money was aquired? One who inherits has likely committed no sin to get it, while one who built the fortune may well have committed some sins in aquiring the wealth.
How the moneys were used? For the Glory of the Kingdom or for personal vanity.
Where the heart of the rich man lies? Does his heart serve God or mammon?

Peace
James
 
Jesus is referring to those who let their riches into their hearts,

From the bible - “And when they had heard this, the disciples wondered very much, saying: Who then can be saved?”

From the Haydock commentary - “They wondered very much. The apostles wondered how any person could be saved, not because all were rich, but because the poor were also included, who had their hearts and affections fixed on riches. S. Aug. and Nicholas de Lyra.”

we are supposed to put God first in our lives, and love Him above all else, and that is why it is wrong to let anything take the place of God in our hearts.
and unless i’m wrong, i think the “riches” He is referring to is not just money, but instead whatever we treasure above God.

“Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me.”

although this is more referring to the call to religious life, it is also telling us, detach from your worldly attachments, and follow Christ, and by casting away your worldly treasures, you will obtain far greater treasures in heaven,
heaven may also be referring to God inside of you, so while you empty yourself of useless treasures, you are filled with the greatest treasure of all, God.

alright, hope this helps, take care.
 
Included among rich people are St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Louis King of France. Such rulers, naturally, were rich.
A priest I admire once said that money is a good servant and a poor master.
Jesus said do not labor for the food that perishes but the food which endures until eternal life (Jn 6:27) St John Chrysostom explains this saying when he said that if we have wealth we can work for the food that endures to eternal life by dealing with it rightly. This saint spoke particularly as he explains Jesus’ saying about using our money to help the poor. Then we will work for the food that God gives us and that endures to eternal life.
 
At least 98% of Americans are to be numbered among “the rich”.
 
Giod888 said:
I read Jesus’ famous quote:
[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 19:24[/BIBLEDRB]
Now, this question has been in my mind for a a while since then: Does he mean all the rich, or only the rich who are corrupted by their money and greed?
Click to expand...
And in verse 26 Jesus goes on to say, **“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” **
God doesn’t hate rich people. He just knows they’re more stiff-necked because they foolishly come to depend on wealth rather on than Him. It’s all about our wills-and wealth is quite deceitful. But God’s in the business of helping us get our wills aligned with His and He can certainly do so.
 
25 When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Click to expand...
“Who then can be saved?” With men all things are impossible… He could have said that a poor man cannot enter, or an American, or a Jew. With men… it is impossible.

Only with Christ can any of us enter. He simply used the struggle of the rich man as a metaphor for all of us that hang on to some part of our world. If God raptures us, it will be feet first because we are always clinging tightly to something in this world.
 
No he isn’t famous. The priest who said money is a good servant but a poor master is the priest who married me. I love this saying too. He was the Provincial of the Passionists in the Philippines.
EmeraldWings said:
i love that, is that a well known priest?
i’m gunna put that in my list a favorite quotes :]
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mdgspencer said:
No he isn’t famous. The priest who said money is a good servant but a poor master is the priest who married me. I love this saying too. He was the Provincial of the Passionists in the Philippines.
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The priest who married you??!??!??!??:eek::bigyikes::eek:

Do you by chance mean the priest who performed the wedding ceremony???

Peace
James
 
JRKH said:
The priest who married you??!??!??!??:eek::bigyikes::eek:

Do you by chance mean the priest who performed the wedding ceremony???

Peace
James
Click to expand...
LOL

I agree with the consensus that being materially wealthy does not automatically prevent heaven. It did for the rich man who wouldn’t sell his possessions, because he was attached to them – therefore they had power over his decision making.

Also, our pastor used to sermonize on this topic about what “eye of the needle” means in this context. He said that this refers to a small door that, in order to get a camel through you had to get it down on its knees, and it seriously does not like to do that. Therefore, it isn’t impossible, just very difficult – to get a camel through the “eye of a needle.”

Alan
 
spencer2 said:
that’s interesting. so anyone who owns a house or is paying a housenote is considered rich?
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For purposes of this scripture, I actually think that all those and more could be qualified as “rich.”

I think when we talk “rich” we like to talk about the quantity of material blessings, often measured in terms of money.

In this scripture, I’m thinking it is about anyone at all who has an attachment to their possessions that will make them susceptible to being controlled for the sake of those possessions.

Alan
 
spencer2 said:
that’s interesting. so anyone who owns a house or is paying a housenote is considered rich?
Click to expand...
The following link shows you how wealthy you are compared to the rest of the world. Even average US, Australian, West European citizens are very well placed. Just key in your annual income and it will show where you fit.

globalrichlist.com/

While I believe Christ meant exactly what he said about it being very difficult for rich people to get into heaven, we ordinary Western citizens might find ourselves judged as wealthy compared to most.
 
AlanFromWichita said:
LOL

I agree with the consensus that being materially wealthy does not automatically prevent heaven. It did for the rich man who wouldn’t sell his possessions, because he was attached to them – therefore they had power over his decision making.

Also, our pastor used to sermonize on this topic about what “eye of the needle” means in this context. He said that this refers to a small door that, in order to get a camel through you had to get it down on its knees, and it seriously does not like to do that. Therefore, it isn’t impossible, just very difficult – to get a camel through the "eye of a needle."

Alan
Click to expand...
Seems there are a number of variations on this “meaning” all revolving around a supposed small opening in a city wall. I’ve also heard that there is no real evidence for such “doors” or “gates”.
I tend to agree that such gates did not exist. For if it WAS possible (though difficult) to get a camel through such a gate, why were the apostles so alramed that they asked “Who then can be saved?” Obviously Jesus comment about Camels and needles presented to them, not just a difficult task, but an impossible one.

Peace
James
 
JRKH said:
Seems there are a number of variations on this “meaning” all revolving around a supposed small opening in a city wall. I’ve also heard that there is no real evidence for such “doors” or “gates”.
I tend to agree that such gates did not exist. For if it WAS possible (though difficult) to get a camel through such a gate, why were the apostles so alramed that they asked “Who then can be saved?” Obviously Jesus comment about Camels and needles presented to them, not just a difficult task, but an impossible one.

Peace
James
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If that’s the case, then I suppose one would want to measure “rich” by his attachment to possessions, rather than the quantity thereof.

Alan
 
AlanFromWichita said:
If that’s the case, then I suppose one would want to measure “rich” by his attachment to possessions, rather than the quantity thereof.

Alan
Click to expand...
Now we’ve nailed it 👍👍

I’d only add one thing. After “rich”, I’d add “in worldy terms”. For those who have treasure in heaven are rich indeed.

Peace
James
 
Bob_Crowley said:
The following link shows you how wealthy you are compared to the rest of the world. Even average US, Australian, West European citizens are very well placed. Just key in your annual income and it will show where you fit.

globalrichlist.com/

While I believe Christ meant exactly what he said about it being very difficult for rich people to get into heaven, we ordinary Western citizens might find ourselves judged as wealthy compared to most.
Click to expand...
it’s kind of hard to believe that a $50,000/year salary (which can barely sustain a household in america) is considered rich.
 
spencer2 said:
it’s kind of hard to believe that a $50,000/year salary (which can barely sustain a household in america) is considered rich.
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Amazing, isn’t it? I have no idea what it’s like in places where there is extreme poverty, and to be honest I’m not sure I want to experience it. I may be too attached to this “cozy” lifestyle. 😦

Alan
 
spencer2 said:
it’s kind of hard to believe that a $50,000/year salary (which can barely sustain a household in america) is considered rich.
Click to expand...
Interesting.
My household, (my wife and I) is sustained on considerably less than that.

Perhaps the thing we really need to look at is what is considered “necessary” in this country for “sustaining a household”. Many of the things that we take for granted are luxuries elsewhere. Many of the things that we consider “necessary”, actually aren’t.
And - in point of fact - the very fact that we consider some things “necessities”, that aren’t can show how “attached” we are to material goods when we should not be.

Peace
James
 
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