Matthew 19 "The Rich Young Ruler"

[Halbhh]

I have googled a bit. Some say it is a late interpretation that a city gate was called eye of the needle. Do you know anything about this?

"late" as in what meaning? It means something or another, and in every case would seem to suggest a very difficult thing we could not accomplish on our own. But, as you hear Christ say to us, "With God all things are possible".

For instance --

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

So, we get the straightforward real meaning: we cannot do it for ourselves without God, but God can accomplish it in us, even the "impossible" or "difficult" or "hard".

In other words, what is "impossible" God can do.

 

[Halbhh]

Jesus doesn't only say it's hard for the rich, but "impossible".

There's another aspect that is apparent now. People don't always use the word "impossible" in an identical way.

It seems we may have been thinking of it the same way but with different wordings--

People do often say that what is very difficult (or near impossible) is "impossible" (because one just couldn't do it, not even with great effort and determination and skill).

But!, there is a whole different sense of the word "impossible" which I tend to assume (from my own physics background), the way I use it.

I tend to use "impossible" as meaning physically not possible -- breaking the laws of physics. Example: snap your fingers and make the moon cease to exist.

But...notice: the way I use the word impossible would then make me say --

"A person could flip a normal quarter 20 times and have it land on it's edge and balance on its edge 20 times in a row -- it's very unlikely, but it is possible."

But someone else could say: "That's impossible", and they would be right.

They would be using the word "impossible" in a perfectly meaningful and reasonable way that many people do.

So, 2 people addressing the same thing with the same point of view (!), yet one saying "possible" and the other saying "impossible" and both are correct, but merely using the word differently!

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Wasn’t Saul rich?

Stick with Scripture.

Going outside Scripture and believing other things , other directions, starts in error and ends in worse error and loss of the joy of reading Scripture and loss of the joy of fellowship with God Daily.

 

[Cross Over the Lake]

Stick with Scripture.

Going outside Scripture and believing other things , other directions, starts in error and ends in worse error and loss of the joy of reading Scripture and loss of the joy of fellowship with God Daily.

Okay putting that aside, wasn’t Saul wealthy??

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Okay putting that aside, wasn’t Saul wealthy??

Again, go back to Scripture.
What did Jesus Himself tell those who wanted to be His permanent disciples what they would have to do ?

Also, Jesus Himself warned them that if they later started accumulating money or things, that the LOVE that Jesus said they already had/have for Him in their heart would depart from them. No one can serve two masters. (i.e. no, it was not possible for Saul to be a permanent disciple of Jesus if he had kept (or even later started to gather more) any wealth that he had had, same as the other Apostles and disciples)

Sticking with Scripture is rare.

 

[bèlla]

My rational sense and financial acumen tells me all believers can’t be poor or average for that matter. You need some excess in the pot to address the lack and create provisions.

God has and will continue to bring wealthy people in the fold. And provide others with the tools to obtain wealth for His purposes. For all things come from Him and belong to Him.

~Bella

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

My rational sense and financial acumen tells me all believers can’t be poor or average for that matter. You need some excess in the pot to address the lack and create provisions.

God has and will continue to bring wealthy people in the fold. And provide others with the tools to obtain wealth for His purposes. For all things come from Him and belong to Him.

~Bella

No.
Again, and always, stick with Scripture, not error.
The answer is in ACTS, the first three to five chapters. summary: NO ONE (with a circumcised heart) called anything their own.

 

[zoidar]

My rational sense and financial acumen tells me all believers can’t be poor or average for that matter. You need some excess in the pot to address the lack and create provisions.

God has and will continue to bring wealthy people in the fold. And provide others with the tools to obtain wealth for His purposes. For all things come from Him and belong to Him.

~Bella

Do you believe God will make us financially wealthy? Then you need to rethink this.

 

[bèlla]

No.
Again, and always, stick with Scripture, not error.
The answer is in ACTS, the first three to five chapters. summary: NO ONE (with a circumcised heart) called anything their own.

My post clearly states everything belongs to God.

~Bella

 

[bèlla]

Do you believe God will make us financially wealthy? Then you need to rethink this.

I think you’re inferring that. There’s no evidence of that rhetoric in my response.

~Bella

 

[zoidar]

I think you’re inferring that. There’s no evidence of that rhetoric in my response.

~Bella

Sorry, if I misunderstood you.

 

[zoidar]

~Bella

I'm a bit stressed out at the moment. Lot's of things going on ...

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

And provide others with the tools to obtain wealth for His purposes.

all believers can’t be poor or average for that matter. You need some excess in the pot to address the lack and create provisions.

I think you’re inferring that. There’s no evidence of that rhetoric in my response.
~Bella

There seems to be mixed messages, some in line with Scripture, some not.

 

[Cross Over the Lake]

I must be a charismatic because I think God wants me be to be wealthy, financially and spiritually.

 

[bèlla]

Sorry, if I misunderstood you.

No worries.

~Bella

 

[bèlla]

There seems to be mixed messages, some in line with Scripture, some not.

I’m very intentional when I write. I meant to convey the thought in that fashion. When I want to wrap an idea around scripture I will.

The point is. Some are rich. Some are poor. Some are comfortable. Our means are diverse much like our gifts and talents.

~Bella

 

[bèlla]

I must be a charismatic because I think God wants me be to be wealthy, financially and spiritually.

I don’t believe God desires me to be wealthy because I believe it or claim it for myself. He provided me with qualities society values and compensates very well. However, the purpose for its acquisition and use must hail from Him.

I feel true wealth is more akin to holism in the sense of its comprehensiveness. For me, that includes physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sexual, and financial health. I look for prosperity on all levels. That’s true abundance in my mind.

~Bella

 

[bèlla]

I'm a bit stressed out at the moment. Lot's of things going on ...

I’m sorry you’re stressed. Are you okay?

~Bella

 

[zoidar]

I’m very intentional when I write. I meant to convey the thought in that fashion. When I want to wrap an idea around scripture I will.

The point is. Some are rich. Some are poor. Some are comfortable. Our means are diverse much like our gifts and talents.

~Bella

There is no shame in being wealthy, but we are to use our wealth for the Kingdom of God.

 

[zoidar]

I’m sorry you’re stressed. Are you okay?

~Bella

Thanks, but it's really nothing more than life.