Is it a sin to be rich/wealthy, how does a wealthy man gain entrance to heaven? (church, quote)

[Lionpainter]

There are many rich people in this world; who have everything that they need to stay comfortable on Earth. Jesus said it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to gain entrance to heaven. So is the Gates of Heaven closed to rich/wealthy people?

[Mercury Cougar]

Originally Posted by Lionpainter

There are many rich people in this world; who have everything that they need to stay comfortable on Earth. Jesus said it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to gain entrance to heaven. So is the Gates of Heaven closed to rich/wealthy people?

It's not a sin to be rich. "Sin" doesn't really exist and would be subjective if it did exist. There are acceptable behaviors, unacceptable behaviors, good things and bad things, but not "sin". Oh, and no heaven either.

[Bideshi]

No, but material wealth can be an obstacle. It is not a sin to be rich. It is a sin to put anything before God. Many people's god is money. Jesus did not say it's impossible for a rich man to enter God's Kingdom, but difficult. Wealthy people often think they don't need God; they have power, respect, are fawned over by others. There is a prayer that goes: "God, keep me from being poor so that I am not tempted to steal, and keep me from being rich so that I will not forget you..."

[svenM]

with God nothing is impossible, Abraham was rich also,

this article does partly deal with the subject, but only partly:

The Rich Man and Lazarus – A Pagan Parable (http://www.thepathoftruth.com/teachings/lazarus.htm - broken link)

[noland123]

It is the Love of their money,the love of their wealth,the love of their material possessions,that keeps them from accessing the Kingdom of Heaven. It is saying that money and material wealth is more important than God,the rich man that puts God first in his life will attain His Kingdom versus the rich man that makes money his god.

[Lionpainter]

Originally Posted by Bideshi

No, but material wealth can be an obstacle. It is not a sin to be rich. It is a sin to put anything before God. Many people's god is money. Jesus did not say it's impossible for a rich man to enter God's Kingdom, but difficult. Wealthy people often think they don't need God; they have power, respect, are fawned over by others. There is a prayer that goes: "God, keep me from being poor so that I am not tempted to steal, and keep me from being rich so that I will not forget you..."

That's an interesting prayer, but I know some wealthy people that are still in God's favor. And, yes material wealth can be a giant obstacle to gain entrance into heaven.

So many people gained so much wealth through the stock market. Rules were bent or broken so that it would be easier to gain those riches. So if someone gained wealth through these soft mechanisms and sometimes deceitful acts, but are basically sound people that are mindful of the teachings of Christ; do they then have the sin of those who manipulated the market? And with the knowledge that they gained of these practices how should they use their wealth?

[coyoteskye]

Consider that it's the attachment to wealth/materiality and not the wealth itself.
If you're wealthy, can you be as peaceful and content without the money?
And is the wealth actually providing you with peace and contentment?
Probably not.
It's nice to be unconcerned about money but, because of the attachment to it, the energy that wealthy people use to hold onto what they have and the fear and insecurity they have regarding losing it is crazy making.
And their behavior is often "immoral" / harmful as they cling to their money so fiercely.
They're basically really insecure if their sense of who they are is connected to what they have.
And fear breeds aggression.
Maybe that's why they can be and often are such a** h****.
It's not money that is the root of all evil ... it's the attachment to it (but more accurately to materiality) that is the problem.

And attachment to poverty is also an obstruction although the challenges of poverty, if one is spiritually oriented, can be growth enhancing.
So i think it's about attachment.
That said, living simply is very supportive to spiritual practice.
To be so externally focused is not conducive to a meditative / contemplative life.
But then again, if you're so impoverished that you're constantly focused on basic survival, you're external focus is probably equally problematic.

Taking a vow of poverty if you're a monk is a different story.

Also, to "live simply so others can simply live" is a caring, compassionate and conscious approach given that the world population is growing rapidly and the earth cannot sustain the old paradigms.
Earth resources are not infinite.

[noland123]

Originally Posted by Lionpainter

That's an interesting prayer, but I know some wealthy people that are still in God's favor. And, yes material wealth can be a giant obstacle to gain entrance into heaven.

So many people gained so much wealth through the stock market. Rules were bent or broken so that it would be easier to gain those riches. So if someone gained wealth through these soft mechanisms and sometimes deceitful acts, but are basically sound people that are mindful of the teachings of Christ; do they then have the sin of those who manipulated the market? And with the knowledge that they gained of these practices how should they use their wealth?

If somebody gained a tip about a certain stock in the public restroom to gain wealth for themselves on the stock market,sure it would be a sin it is called insider trading and overtime one could amass a great amount of wealth or find themselves in prison.

The question is here who is your God ,the stock market or the Lord? The thing is rich people do not have everything if they do not have the Lord

[Nea1]

Oh oh isn't the TV evangelists in trouble/ Some mighty rich ones. As well as the Vatican.

[Peggy Anne]

Don't worry. If you are rich, the church will be happy to vacuum your pockets dry, and without any guilt attached, whatsoever !