Does God's word honor people who are poor and condemn people who are rich? We know God denounces greed, oppression, selfishness, thievery, and not being charitable. But these things are attributes of morality, not issues of excess. There are rich individuals in the Old Testament, who God doesn't chastise for being well off. For example, God didn't condemn wealthy men like Job and Abraham, He honored them. Even with all they went through, those two Old Testament figures treated others according to what was morally right, and that's what God cares about.
Proverbs 24:17
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
John 15:12
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Romans 12:18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
But, what about the rich young ruler?
Luke 18:18-24
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
To help us understand the meaning of this account, let's look at what the rich young ruler actually asked Jesus. He didn't ask Jesus, "What shall we all do to inherit eternal life?" he asked, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life." His question was directed at himself, and Jesus being God knew this man's heart. This is why he was sorrowful when he heard Jesus' answer,"sell all that thou hast." His possessions were his god, and that fact meant he wasn't as righteous as he thought.
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Jesus never commanded that everyone who wanted to follow Him, had to sell everything in order to do so. He certainly never gave that command to the women of substance, who ministered unto Him.
Luke 8:3
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
While being wealthy can bring the temptation of ceasing to recognize our total dependence and need for God, (which is very dangerous), anyone can escape temptation with God's power.
1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Proverbs 11:28
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
If you want on or off the ping list, please freep mail me, and have a great weekend.
I highly recommend the following video on a very thorough presentation on the history of the bible by Chuck Missler:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZsZLDWWZMs
Skip to 1:40 for a list of the topics he covers, including the origins of all the translations we are familiar with.
After watching this video, I’m confident you will understand WHY the King James bible is the most reliable.
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold" (Prov. 22:1 AV).
Think of the reputation gained forever by the little old widow, who gave the Lord's ministry the last of her worldly riches, two mites:
"And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury
hath cast in all the living that she had" (Lk. 21:1-4 AV; cf Mk. 12:41-44).
No doubt the Lord Jesus saw to her needs that day, and gave her a place in the eternal rolls of the Book of Life.
So I feel a bit guilty, looking at that, because I've been up against it lately, and on the last Lord's Day I felt that I could not give in to the offering. Yet just yesterday, my loving daughter saw it fit to help sustain me financially. I need to trust the Lord more, even if it was only my last penny, or quarter, or dollar.
"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again" (Prov. 19:17 AV).
May the Lord bless my daughter richly, as I am blessed in her.
Plenty of rich, righteous men in the Bible. Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, David and Solomon are just a few examples that come to mind. Money is a tool and can be used for good or evil.