Can a rich Church or man get into heaven?
Matthew 19:23
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:21
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Genesis 13:2
And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Matthew 19:24
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
There seems to be a theme throughout scripture that says that wealth is not a good thing yet the Church amasses wealth for it’s own sake and glorification.
Can a Church that does not practice what it preaches lead us to heaven or is wealth actually a good thing.
What comes to mind is Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail.
In selecting the cup of Christ, the proper cup was the poor man’s cup. In contrast, if asked to select the cup of the Church, he would have selected the riches cup.
One has to wonder if the Church is right or if Jesus was.
Many say they have faith in Jesus but few follow His line of thought when their wealth is in question.
Would God reject our rich Church?
Is our Church imperfect because of it’s wealth?
Will God reject the rich man?
Your thoughts?
Regards
DL
Can a rich Church or man get into heaven?
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Post #91
Nazis wanted to follow a dictator.East of Eden wrote:I think somewhere in this rambling post I'm being compared to the Nazis. Is that true of all Christians or just me?Wyvern wrote:Okay you missed that point entirely or you are incredibly obtuse. The point being that you just like the nazi's consider ideological purity is more important than anything else i.e. if you are not of the correct ideological bent then any opinion coming from said person can be dismissed out of hand. This idea is irrational and unamerican.East of Eden wrote:Interesting they were socialists too.Wyvern wrote:Thankfully the nazi party was equally concerned about ideological purity regarding nuclear physicists.East of Eden wrote:Uh, it's not just a label applied by Wikipedia, Ehrenreich is currently an honorary co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America. About all I need to know to dismiss her.MagusYanam wrote:I'd call that an ad hominem, but it's not even really an argument - you're not addressing Ehrenreich's arguments, data or analysis, you're attacking a political label she has had applied to her by Wikipedia.
Christians want to follow a dictator.
Can a comparison be made between the two? Yes.
Regards
DL
God is a cosmic consciousness.
Telepathy the key.
Telepathy the key.
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Post #92
Wow! This got way off-topic, didn't it? Well, I guess I'll just try to answer the original question.
It is impossible for a rich man to get into heaven...if the rich man's focus is on his money instead of God. "The love of money is the root of all evil."
If the rich man's focus is on God, not money or earthly possessions, and his salvation is assured, he may enter heaven.
Eternal salvation is NOT, AND NEVER WILL BE DETERMINED by possessions, money, or works. Salvation is by grace alone.
It is impossible for a rich man to get into heaven...if the rich man's focus is on his money instead of God. "The love of money is the root of all evil."
If the rich man's focus is on God, not money or earthly possessions, and his salvation is assured, he may enter heaven.
Eternal salvation is NOT, AND NEVER WILL BE DETERMINED by possessions, money, or works. Salvation is by grace alone.
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Post #93
Agreed, the New Testament does teach that. But Jesus, more than once, taught that riches are a dangerous impediment to being saved.a_Pirates_pride2000 wrote:Wow! This got way off-topic, didn't it? Well, I guess I'll just try to answer the original question.
It is impossible for a rich man to get into heaven...if the rich man's focus is on his money instead of God. "The love of money is the root of all evil."
If the rich man's focus is on God, not money or earthly possessions, and his salvation is assured, he may enter heaven.
Eternal salvation is NOT, AND NEVER WILL BE DETERMINED by possessions, money, or works. Salvation is by grace alone.
Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed
Luke 12
Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.
First Epistle to the Church of the Thessalonians
The truth will make you free.
Gospel of John
First Epistle to the Church of the Thessalonians
The truth will make you free.
Gospel of John
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Post #94
Yes, I hear this by many who believe in the miracle working absentee God.a_Pirates_pride2000 wrote:Wow! This got way off-topic, didn't it? Well, I guess I'll just try to answer the original question.
It is impossible for a rich man to get into heaven...if the rich man's focus is on his money instead of God. "The love of money is the root of all evil."
If the rich man's focus is on God, not money or earthly possessions, and his salvation is assured, he may enter heaven.
Eternal salvation is NOT, AND NEVER WILL BE DETERMINED by possessions, money, or works. Salvation is by grace alone.
Grace? I have an aunt by that names. She is more important than non existing grace form an imaginary God of fantasy.
I do like your view of wealth but God does not enter the equation.
Regards
DL
God is a cosmic consciousness.
Telepathy the key.
Telepathy the key.