The camel and the needle

Matthew 19:23-25New King James Version (NKJV)

With God All Things Are Possible
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And 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.”

25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

Many of us could read too much into this portion of Scripture. We could conclude that God won't allow rich or monetarily wealth folks into the gates of Heaven. This is not so.  For proof read the book of Job.

He was a wealthy man.  His wealth did not hinder him from praising God and being loyal to Him. When the devil approaches God at the start of the story, God says try My servant Job.  To identify him as His servant means that Job is a trustful and honored soldier for God.  Wow, what an honor right, but how would this translate today?

First, look at the context of the times when this was written.  Many of the wealthy oppressed the poor. They enslaved the poor, cheated them out of their fair wages, jailed the poor for literally anything the rich saw fit, and worse. The story of Ananias and Sapphira further backs this point in their deceitful plot to cheat the Holy Spirit. Many of financial upper class society were not viewed as favorable. 

Fast forward to now. Many of the tyrannical acts of the wealthy of old are religiously repeated by the wealthy today. Many are more concerned about building and keeping wealth that they can't take with them in the next lifetime.  So much so, that many wealthy people try stop death itself, but this is not true for all.

Many of the wealthy folks today give money in philanthropic causes. Some are brave enough to get their hands dirty and physically help the poor themselves. Instead of looking down upon them from their mansions and cars, they willingly stand beside them Luke a true sibling or friend in Christ to support them. It is not wealth that causes a person to get to or be kept out of Heaven, its the means by which wealth is obtained, maintained, and if being wealthy is placed above God and His will.  The folks who do right by God, like Job, I feel, would enter into the gates of Heaven. 

Lord, as we all progress in or walks with you, please let not any hatred to those who are "rich" that cheerfully and willingly give to help the poor materialize.  Please Jesus, teach us how to love them, not for their wallet, but to model their willingness to give, and their cheerfulness to do so. Teach us that it matters not how much, but that we give for Your name sake. AMEN.