Quote:
Originally posted by Silver Cheetah:
He did say, however, that it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
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Silver, the problem with pulling verses out like this is that you're falling into literalism. Christians do the same thing: open the bible randomly, read a verse or two and presume it to speak into there life.
With literalism we can find justification for a host of bizzarre behaviour, and find verses that seemingly contradict each other.
The bible is not meant to be read in this fashion, and in doing so, while one may find granules of wisdom and truth, one becomes oblivious to broader themes, deeper levels of understanding, and the bibles manifold wisdom therein.
In understanding Gods attitude to possesions and wealth we must do more than take an isolated verse. The "young rich man" was told to give up everything, sell it all, give it away and follow Christ. Why? It was a stumbling block. Something that prevented him from the freedom of Gods love, chained him to behavioural patterns, mindsets and values.
"Debt is the modern slavery". Money was his God. Money can become a God to the rich.
I have had relative wealth before now. I have also turned my back on greater wealth before now. The greatest freedom I felt though was living out of one suitcase for months. No responsibility or ties to any place. I could and did go anywhere. I had lost everything. In my divorce I lost a house and most of my money. Yet when one has nothing, one has nothing to lose. I had my God, and that relationship with God strengthened.
I'm not suggesting vagrancy is the perfect life, and it is not something I am seeking to exist in for the rest of my life. I am accumulating in New York, planting roots, grafting into the city. However I have
no fear of losing everything. If God "calls me" to the Indian jungle to live on plain rice, then I have no fear of doing such. He is my God, not money, people, lifestyle, career, ministry, music, hedonism or knowledge.
Nebuchadnezzar of the old Testament was emperor of Babylon. As the tale goes he was stripped of his position and lived as a pauper and forest dweller unrecognised until he learned some aspects and returned. The Israleites wandered for 40 years in the desert without a homeland, Jesus himself spent time in the desert with little to eat, isolation and plenty of room for contemplation. (After being in the Nevada/Arizona deserts last week, I can comprehend the mind expanding depth one can achieve through spending time there. Beautiful)
What I'm attempting to say - however verbosely - is that the bible is themeatic. It must be read in completion. Any book contained must be read with regard to other books inside, not in isolation. It's a tougher deal than pulling out a verse here and there, but then no pain, no gain.
Gods attitude to wealth, riches and desires that conflict with him, and thus cause a life of mental imprisonment and "slavery" is found throughout the whole tome, not just in a few verses.
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I am the walrus!.... er, no hang on....
A fair dinkum laughing Hyena!