"Can You Be Too Rich for Heaven?" (article)

[Glib Gurl]

Interesting article on different interpretations of Mark 10:21 through the ages.

Can You Be Too Rich For Heaven

I used to really struggle with this issue and the guilt that comes with living in the First World. Indeed, I used to subscribe to the renunciation school of thought, but God has slowly been teaching me that that's not His plan for me. I am now trying to live by the theory of detachment . . . it can be tough sometimes, though. I do admit I love things, but things are just temporary . . . .

 

[SND411]

I have A LOT to say about this. I will post after reading your link...

 

[SND411]

I think anyone reading the exchange between Jesus and the rich man can see that Jesus was merely revealing what "god" the man truly worshipped. Ultimately, he chose money over God.

I think being rich can be a blessing IF a rich person uses their resources for the Kingdom of God, not to just have a comfortable life. I never understood people who just want to live a comfortable life if this world isn't even suppose to be our home. Jesus told us that if we are truly His disciples, we would have trouble...

I also feel sometimes wealth CAN be too excessive. I never understood why some preachers needed two private jets, three manisions, a couple of cars, with millions of dollars to spare.

 

[Glib Gurl]

I think anyone reading the exchange between Jesus and the rich man can see that Jesus was merely revealing what "god" the man truly worshipped. Ultimately, he chose money over God.

I think being rich can be a blessing IF a rich person uses their resources for the Kingdom of God, not to just have a comfortable life. I never understood people who just want to live a comfortable life if this world isn't even suppose to be our home. Jesus told us that if we are truly His disciples, we would have trouble...

I also feel sometimes wealth CAN be too excessive. I never understood why some preachers needed two private jets, three manisions, a couple of cars, with millions of dollars to spare.

@ the red - That concept - that earth is just our temporary home - is one that really sort of hit me over the head last year through some reading I did and reminding myself of that helps me when I get too materialistic feeling.

@ the blue - You know, I had a pastor who (along with his wife) had a nice big house, nice cars, a housekeeper, etc. But with him, I never minded because I knew that he and his wife were CONSTANTLY doing the work of God. She travels several times a month to preach and he is always lecturing and writing books. So for them, it just seemed practical to have someone take care of the house while you're out doing the Lord's work. I don't feel like it compromised them. Now what I did mind was this one guest preacher we had who basically preached a sermon about how he had to encourage himself even though he didn't have a private jet like other preachers and had to suffer in first class with other travelers spilling champagne on him (I am not even making this up.) That?

 

[SND411]

@ the red - That concept - that earth is just our temporary home - is one that really sort of hit me over the head last year through some reading I did and reminding myself of that helps me when I get too materialistic feeling.

@ the blue - You know, I had a pastor who (along with his wife) had a nice big house, nice cars, a housekeeper, etc. But with him, I never minded because I knew that he and his wife were CONSTANTLY doing the work of God. She travels several times a month to preach and he is always lecturing and writing books. So for them, it just seemed practical to have someone take care of the house while you're out doing the Lord's work. I don't feel like it compromised them. Now what I did mind was this one guest preacher we had who basically preached a sermon about how he had to encourage himself even though he didn't have a private jet like other preachers and had to suffer in first class with other travelers spilling champagne on him (I am not even making this up.) That?

Wait, what? Are you sure he wasn't joking. Was he really serious?