Easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter....
- Thread starter themickey
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This thread is about spitituality, not christianity exclusively.
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"Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” -Matthew 19:21-24"
Discuss:
What is the kingdom of God?
What's the problem of the rich?
The current pentecostal churches encourage wealth, is there a problem here?
How do you enter the kingdom of God?
My impression, this parable is a metaphor, a hyperbole, kingdom of God, heaven, are spiritual states, not physical states.
The rich man is a metaphorical physical state of greed and self, where the kingdom of God is one of Love?
Heaven is not an exclusive realm for christians, but all people.
'Jesus' is also a metaphor, He is the metaphor for a gateway.
God is not a exclusive christian God, He is a universal creator.
Let the fighting begin! LOL
I think you're right . Chasing wealth is a "lower realm" activity and you have to be able to give it up . Could also be that you're not in control of your own state when you're constantly chasing earthly pleasures . For example the "spirit" controls alcoholics .
I also find that when I'm not chasing wealth I seem to get wealthier .
This thread is about spitituality, not christianity exclusively.
.........................
"Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” -Matthew 19:21-24"
Discuss:
What is the kingdom of God?
What's the problem of the rich?
The current pentecostal churches encourage wealth, is there a problem here?
How do you enter the kingdom of God?
My impression, this parable is a metaphor, a hyperbole, kingdom of God, heaven, are spiritual states, not physical states.
The rich man is a metaphorical physical state of greed and self, where the kingdom of God is one of Love?
Heaven is not an exclusive realm for christians, but all people.
'Jesus' is also a metaphor, He is the metaphor for a gateway.
God is not a exclusive christian God, He is a universal creator.
Let the fighting begin! LOL
Jesus and " the Christ" according to some are separate beings .
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Good points.
Very interesting, the context. Some asked of Jesus Christ a trick question ''does he pay the poll tax??''. That poll tax question was first asked about 2,000 years before USA was a nation.
The trick was, Israel was like America + tax collectors were not popular\LOL. Jesus Christ tells the truth anyway.
Is it lawful to pay the tribute money? And they brought him a penny. Matthew 22, King James Version.
Some modern translations note it ''show me the money ''+ they did.You are a Bible reader, murray t. You strike me as an Old Testament kind of guy.%%
Good points.
Very interesting, the context. Some asked of Jesus Christ a trick question ''does he pay the poll tax??''. That poll tax question was first asked about 2,000 years before USA was a nation.
The trick was, Israel was like America + tax collectors were not popular\LOL. Jesus Christ tells the truth anyway.
Is it lawful to pay the tribute money? And they brought him a penny. Matthew 22, King James Version.
That verse in the KJV was the original Jerry Maguire moment: Shew me the (tribute) money. And they brought unto him a penny.
I always enjoy reading the KJV best.
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LOL ;its amazing how the older KJV is more accurate than some modern translations.
I do like Psalms + Proverbs especially, KJV + other modern translations some times
That's a great philosophy for life : No religeon involved but if there is an afterlife the judges will look kindly upon you
I agree with you but unfortunately christian doctrine disagrees with this idea.That's a great philosophy for life : No religeon involved but if there is an afterlife the judges will look kindly upon you
According to gospel, one can be the nicest person on earth, but without christ you are condemned.
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)
[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
[7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Rich in mercy so long as you buy into the christian doctrine life insurance policy.