Will Rich Christians Go to Hell according to Mark 10:21-23?
Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God."
They were utterly amazed and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Mark 10:25-26
This question is still bothersome to many of us.
What did Jesus mean by these statement? Is He saying that a person who is rich cannot be saved from their sins by grace in order to enter heaven? Should Christians feel guilty if they have plenty money?
The Answer is NO!
When Jesus said it is easier for a camel to get through a needle's eye than for a rich man to get into the kingdom, He was revealing the irresistible effect of financial power in a rich person's life. God knows that most people have not disciplined themselves with money by building a selfless relationship with Him, therefore, He knows very well that many of His people are weak to the power of plenty money. Plenty money has a way of perverting the judgment and integrity of a rich person's heart. Many times, this happen because a rich person has very little reason to exercise his or her faith in God for provision, security, etc. A poor man will know that only God can sustain him, and would therefore hope and wait upon the Lord in prayer, trusting in Yehowah Jireh. Because the heart of man is always after power and control, there is always a 99.9% chance that the heart of a rich man would fail to financial power
1Timothy 6:9, “But people who want [crave AMP] to get rich keep falling into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires which drown them in destruction and ruin. Vs.10, “Certainly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief.”
According to many scriptures, a Christian can be rich, in fact, wealth and prosperity is given by God. Psalms 118:25, 'I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.”
Psalms 122:7, “Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.” Ecclesiastes 7:14, “In the day of prosperity be joyful,”
Conclusion, Deuteronomy 8:18, says, “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: FOR IT IS HE THAT GIVETH THEE POWER TO GET WEALTH,” Psalms 62:10, “if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” We ought be content in all things, nevertheless, wanting and having plenty money is very good for one reason only, for the Kingdom's sake. Without plenty money you cannot do certain things that you would want to do and that is a fact; money answers all things, (Ecclesiastes 10:19).
If a rich person cannot understand this reason but become greedy he can damn his own soul. 1 Timothy 6:17, “Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. Vs.18, “Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to be generous, and to share.” We need to build a relationship with God to the point that our, motive, our financial integrity, our desire and our will becomes a shadow in the light of Him. Seek to prosper financially, but for the Kingdom sake; also, make sure your heart is sold out for God and God alone.
Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God."
They were utterly amazed and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Mark 10:25-26
This question is still bothersome to many of us.
What did Jesus mean by these statement? Is He saying that a person who is rich cannot be saved from their sins by grace in order to enter heaven? Should Christians feel guilty if they have plenty money?
The Answer is NO!
When Jesus said it is easier for a camel to get through a needle's eye than for a rich man to get into the kingdom, He was revealing the irresistible effect of financial power in a rich person's life. God knows that most people have not disciplined themselves with money by building a selfless relationship with Him, therefore, He knows very well that many of His people are weak to the power of plenty money. Plenty money has a way of perverting the judgment and integrity of a rich person's heart. Many times, this happen because a rich person has very little reason to exercise his or her faith in God for provision, security, etc. A poor man will know that only God can sustain him, and would therefore hope and wait upon the Lord in prayer, trusting in Yehowah Jireh. Because the heart of man is always after power and control, there is always a 99.9% chance that the heart of a rich man would fail to financial power
1Timothy 6:9, “But people who want [crave AMP] to get rich keep falling into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires which drown them in destruction and ruin. Vs.10, “Certainly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief.”
According to many scriptures, a Christian can be rich, in fact, wealth and prosperity is given by God. Psalms 118:25, 'I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.”
Psalms 122:7, “Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.” Ecclesiastes 7:14, “In the day of prosperity be joyful,”
Conclusion, Deuteronomy 8:18, says, “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: FOR IT IS HE THAT GIVETH THEE POWER TO GET WEALTH,” Psalms 62:10, “if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” We ought be content in all things, nevertheless, wanting and having plenty money is very good for one reason only, for the Kingdom's sake. Without plenty money you cannot do certain things that you would want to do and that is a fact; money answers all things, (Ecclesiastes 10:19).
If a rich person cannot understand this reason but become greedy he can damn his own soul. 1 Timothy 6:17, “Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. Vs.18, “Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to be generous, and to share.” We need to build a relationship with God to the point that our, motive, our financial integrity, our desire and our will becomes a shadow in the light of Him. Seek to prosper financially, but for the Kingdom sake; also, make sure your heart is sold out for God and God alone.