Who is Rich According to the Bible? What type of Rich person is unable to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

20^th Week – Tuesday

Gospel – Matthew 19: 23-30

 Who is Rich According to the Bible?

What type of Rich person is unable to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

It will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

1) Ordinary understanding of the Rich Person

Usually we call a person rich when he/She has the following things 

• Lot of property
• Lot of money 
• Lot of wealth 
• Lot of material things 
• Lot of influence
• Lot of Gold and ornaments
• High standard of living from worldly perspective
• One who has costly things like vehicles, mobiles, house, clothes, and other things 

This is the general understanding of the word *Rich*

2) Jesus does not say that all these above Rich will find hard to enter into the kingdom of Heaven

Usually when we read this Gospel and the moment we hear the word *Rich* we have a tendency to put all those  people who have lot of material wealth, into the category of rich and we think that all these people will find it hard to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven

But Jesus does not say that all the rich will find it hard to enter into the kingdom of Heaven 

If so what type of rich people will find it hard to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven? 

 3) Biblical concept of a Rich Person

The parable of the Rich man and Lazarus will give us the idea of Rich person according the Bible

The rich person had the following traits which makes him to difficult to enter into the kingdom of Heaven 

• He was indifferent to the poor Lazarus
• He didn't even bother to ask about the basic needs of Lazarus
• He treated Lazarus as dog.
• He didn't think of sharing his belongings with poor Lazarus
• He was busy with celebrations and eating, drinking and making merry 
• He was busy with his looks. That's why he was very particular about his dress and external beauty 
• In other words his riches were spent only for the self and enjoying only his life 
• His riches didn't benefit anyone else 
• Moreover he spent all his riches for bodily pleasure and not for spiritual needs 
• Such a rich person fails to enter the kingdom of Heaven and goes to Hades 

The rich Young man

This rich young man wanted to attain eternal life

So Jesus tells him to sell everything and to distribute the money to the poor and to follow him 

He went away sad, and failed to enter into the kingdom of God.

Here it is clear too much attachment to the riches became a problem for the rich man

He was not ready to share his riches with the poor and to follow Jesus 

4) Being Rich is not a problem but what we do with it matters a lot

It is very clear that Jesus does not condemn all those who are rich 

Riches are the blessings of the Lord. But what we do with the riches will decide our fate 

Anyone who refuses to share his riches with the poor and the  needy will find hard to entre the Kingdom of Heaven

Anyone who with the power of riches, treats others in an inhuman way will find hard to enter into the heaven

Anyone who uses his riches only for the self and for bodily pleasure will find it hard to enter the Kingdom of Heaven 

Anyone who with the power of riches becomes arrogant, proud, indifferent, greedy will never enter into the kingdom of Heaven

5) Impossibility of entering into Heaven

Jesus gives a comparison of the camel and the eye of a middle. 

We know the size of both these realities. Our common sense tell us the impossibility of passing a camel through the eye of a needle.  

Even that what was impossible for us is possible to God.

But entering of a rich person with about traits is impossible. So we can see the gravity of the matter 

6) Riches not only applied to the material things

There are things beyond material world, where a person can be rich in such realities. For example 

• Rich in mercy
• Rich in compassion
• Rich in humility
• Rich in understanding
• Rich in Sharing 
• Rich in forgiveness
• Rich in love 
• Rich in peace
• Rich in faith 
• Rich in hospitality
• Rich in Generosity
• Rich in helping 
• Rich in supporting another 
• Rich in speaking good about others 

All these riches directly will help us to enter into the kingdom of Heaven

7) What type of a rich person I am?

Am I rich in material things? If so what do I do with that? 

Have I ever thought that my riches will become a hurdle to enter into the heaven or will they help me to enter? 

Am I rich in spiritual realities? If yes which are the realities. If no - why? 

What can I do to become rich in spiritual realities

What plans do I have with regard to my material riches 

Let us be careful so that our material riches do not become a curse for eternal life rather let it become a blessing to enter into the Kingdom of God

 God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones.

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore