“Again I tell 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." (Matthew 19:24, NIV)
As I discussed in part 1 of this series, the passage found in Matthew 19:24 is one of the most misused and misunderstood statements that Jesus made during his time on Planet Earth. The notion that God wants his people to suffer or to live in poverty is not only contrary to the scriptures as a whole, but also a complete misapplication of Jesus’ “eye of the needle” statement and his subsequent explanation to the disciples. As a result, it has also become one of the devil’s favorite and most-quoted verses of the Bible. It has helped to keep Christians underfunded and ineffective in their plight to spread the good news of Christ & His love, severely crippling one of the biggest threats to his demonic kingdom.
(If you haven’t had a chance to read last week’s blog post, take a minute and review the first 2 points by scrolling down to part 1 of “Satan’s Favorite Bible Verse”)
#3 - The Definition of “Rich”
Does God truly refuse to allow entry into Heaven for those who are considered “rich” in the present world? If so, I guess it would be pretty important for us as believers to come up with an exact definition of what “rich” truly is, so as to ensure that we stay far away from that dreadful number. So, let me ask you, how do you define rich? Is there a number in your head? Perhaps the more poignant question might be, “What do you think is the number in someone else’s head?” Isn’t it possible that the answers are numerous & varied, with nearly every person thinking of a different number or amount altogether? Not only is it possible, but also highly probably, because an individual’s definition of “rich” is most certainly shaped by their own personal circumstances.
When most people come up with an income number for “rich” or a net worth number for “wealthy”, it’s nearly always a number much higher than what they currently have or earn right now. For me personally, when I was making $30,000 a year, I thought that $100,000 was rich. However, when I was making $100,000 a year, suddenly it didn’t feel very “rich” anymore. This mindset is just as prevalent in the top 1-2% of Americans as it is in everyday folks, with a recent survey revealing that only 8% of all millionaires consider themselves to be “very rich”. Regardless of our current income, nearly all of us consider “rich” something to be attained, a far-off destination that we are striving for, not a present reality.
Another defining factor for the term “rich” would need to include the area of the country or world in which a person resides. Earning $100,000 a year in a small Midwestern town may make your life pretty comfortable, filling your days with luxury and convenience. However, that same $100,000 in New York City or London has you living in a cramped studio apartment barely larger than most master bedroom closets. On a global scale, the differences are even more dramatic.
In the United States, we consider our “poor” to be those who make less than $20,000 or so per year (depending on the number of people in the household). However, in many parts of Africa, running water and electricity are considered a luxury to be experienced only by the social elite. Seeing through the eyes and paradigm of the impoverished in 3rd world countries would put just about everyone in the United States in the “rich” category and, according to many in the church, would have us all destined to a fiery grave.
The term “rich” is obviously a very relative term, with the definition based primarily on one’s own perspective. So it stands to reason that the perspective or definition of “rich” that we should most be concerned with is God Almighty’s. In the world’s economy, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are 2 of its wealthiest inhabitants, but in Heaven’s economy they are just above the poverty line. How is “rich” defined by someone who paves his streets with gold and has designed and prepared a mansion for each and every one of his followers? Is God pleased if you make $30k, $60k, or even $100k/year? If so, what is the yearly income number at which his pleasure turns into divine dismay and unrelenting wrath? What happens if you are successful in utilizing your God-given gifts and talents and, heaven forbid, get a raise to $150k/year? Is that a sentence to eternal damnation? Obviously I speak in jest, but there are many in our churches today who actually believe that!
With so many definitions of the word “rich”, wouldn’t it make sense for God to spend his time judging the heart, rather than the size of someone’s pocketbook? Wasn’t that the whole point of the Sermon on the Mount? The root problem with the rich young ruler wasn’t his riches, but rather his attachment to, and unwillingness to let go of those riches. He gave lip service to the cause of Christ, but he was unwilling to let go of his worldly possessions to truly “take up his cross” & follow. Jesus saw right through to the heart and put this young man to the test, one that he miserably failed.
Compare that to the Biblical account of Zacchaeus, a tax collector in Jericho:
(If you haven’t had a chance to read last week’s blog post, take a minute and review the first 2 points by scrolling down to part 1 of “Satan’s Favorite Bible Verse”)
#3 - The Definition of “Rich”
Does God truly refuse to allow entry into Heaven for those who are considered “rich” in the present world? If so, I guess it would be pretty important for us as believers to come up with an exact definition of what “rich” truly is, so as to ensure that we stay far away from that dreadful number. So, let me ask you, how do you define rich? Is there a number in your head? Perhaps the more poignant question might be, “What do you think is the number in someone else’s head?” Isn’t it possible that the answers are numerous & varied, with nearly every person thinking of a different number or amount altogether? Not only is it possible, but also highly probably, because an individual’s definition of “rich” is most certainly shaped by their own personal circumstances.
When most people come up with an income number for “rich” or a net worth number for “wealthy”, it’s nearly always a number much higher than what they currently have or earn right now. For me personally, when I was making $30,000 a year, I thought that $100,000 was rich. However, when I was making $100,000 a year, suddenly it didn’t feel very “rich” anymore. This mindset is just as prevalent in the top 1-2% of Americans as it is in everyday folks, with a recent survey revealing that only 8% of all millionaires consider themselves to be “very rich”. Regardless of our current income, nearly all of us consider “rich” something to be attained, a far-off destination that we are striving for, not a present reality.
Another defining factor for the term “rich” would need to include the area of the country or world in which a person resides. Earning $100,000 a year in a small Midwestern town may make your life pretty comfortable, filling your days with luxury and convenience. However, that same $100,000 in New York City or London has you living in a cramped studio apartment barely larger than most master bedroom closets. On a global scale, the differences are even more dramatic.
In the United States, we consider our “poor” to be those who make less than $20,000 or so per year (depending on the number of people in the household). However, in many parts of Africa, running water and electricity are considered a luxury to be experienced only by the social elite. Seeing through the eyes and paradigm of the impoverished in 3rd world countries would put just about everyone in the United States in the “rich” category and, according to many in the church, would have us all destined to a fiery grave.
The term “rich” is obviously a very relative term, with the definition based primarily on one’s own perspective. So it stands to reason that the perspective or definition of “rich” that we should most be concerned with is God Almighty’s. In the world’s economy, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are 2 of its wealthiest inhabitants, but in Heaven’s economy they are just above the poverty line. How is “rich” defined by someone who paves his streets with gold and has designed and prepared a mansion for each and every one of his followers? Is God pleased if you make $30k, $60k, or even $100k/year? If so, what is the yearly income number at which his pleasure turns into divine dismay and unrelenting wrath? What happens if you are successful in utilizing your God-given gifts and talents and, heaven forbid, get a raise to $150k/year? Is that a sentence to eternal damnation? Obviously I speak in jest, but there are many in our churches today who actually believe that!
With so many definitions of the word “rich”, wouldn’t it make sense for God to spend his time judging the heart, rather than the size of someone’s pocketbook? Wasn’t that the whole point of the Sermon on the Mount? The root problem with the rich young ruler wasn’t his riches, but rather his attachment to, and unwillingness to let go of those riches. He gave lip service to the cause of Christ, but he was unwilling to let go of his worldly possessions to truly “take up his cross” & follow. Jesus saw right through to the heart and put this young man to the test, one that he miserably failed.
Compare that to the Biblical account of Zacchaeus, a tax collector in Jericho:
“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:8-10, NIV, emphasis added)
Notice that Zacchaeus only offered to give up half of his possessions in a show of repentance, while Jesus commanded everything of the rich young ruler. Regardless of how you define wealthy in today’s economy (1 Million, 5 Million, 10 Million), if you start off wealthy and give up only half, how much does that leave you with? Quite a bit! So why did Zacchaeus get off so cheap? Why was he allowed to keep a substantial portion of his net worth, while the rich, young ruler had to abandon it all? Because again, it has absolutely nothing to do with the AMOUNT, and EVERYTHING to do with the HEART! Zacchaeus had already been convicted of his greed and materialism and he came to Jesus with a penitent heart, ready to humbly obey as his master commanded. Zacchaeus’ heart was pure in the presence of God, so there was no need for Jesus to call him to the same radical abandonment of wealth as he did the rich, young ruler.
For some people it takes giving up everything to break their idolatry of money, to some it’s half, and to some it’s none at all. God is not in the “robin hood” business of taking from the rich and giving to the poor. He is in the “Jehovah Jireh” business of blessing his saints abundantly that they may in turn bless the poor, their families, and the needy ministries in the Church. It’s not about dollars and cents to God. It’s about who (or what) is guiding your heart and your decisions. Your commitment to Christ is measured by how much of your cross you have taken up, not by how much of your money you have laid down. Poor people can be just as worldy and uncommitted to Christ as rich people, but God is calling us all to follow him without restrictions, conditions, or limitations.
When we come to this type of unconditional surrender, it is then that the windows of heaven can truly open up and God can abundantly bless the works of our hands. He is scanning the earth for those who are being faithful with what they have, so that he can bless them abundantly, in full confidence that they will put it to good use in spreading the gospel of His dear Son (while also taking care of their families as they are commanded in 1 Timothy 5:8). As we stay diligent and faithful to our divine calling, keeping money in its proper place in our lives, there is truly nothing that can keep us from success and prosperity as we live out our days here on earth.
Stay safe, be blessed, and if you see my wife today, wish her a happy 27th birthday!
(Stay tuned for part 3 of “Satan’s Favorite Bible Verse” when we talk about the most important part of reading this or any Biblical passage…CONTEXT!!)
For some people it takes giving up everything to break their idolatry of money, to some it’s half, and to some it’s none at all. God is not in the “robin hood” business of taking from the rich and giving to the poor. He is in the “Jehovah Jireh” business of blessing his saints abundantly that they may in turn bless the poor, their families, and the needy ministries in the Church. It’s not about dollars and cents to God. It’s about who (or what) is guiding your heart and your decisions. Your commitment to Christ is measured by how much of your cross you have taken up, not by how much of your money you have laid down. Poor people can be just as worldy and uncommitted to Christ as rich people, but God is calling us all to follow him without restrictions, conditions, or limitations.
When we come to this type of unconditional surrender, it is then that the windows of heaven can truly open up and God can abundantly bless the works of our hands. He is scanning the earth for those who are being faithful with what they have, so that he can bless them abundantly, in full confidence that they will put it to good use in spreading the gospel of His dear Son (while also taking care of their families as they are commanded in 1 Timothy 5:8). As we stay diligent and faithful to our divine calling, keeping money in its proper place in our lives, there is truly nothing that can keep us from success and prosperity as we live out our days here on earth.
Stay safe, be blessed, and if you see my wife today, wish her a happy 27th birthday!
(Stay tuned for part 3 of “Satan’s Favorite Bible Verse” when we talk about the most important part of reading this or any Biblical passage…CONTEXT!!)
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