***EVER WONDERED?*** For Today! Question:- What did Jesus mean when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven? Response:- ** S. Michael Houdmann Supporter, Got Questions Ministries-- * There are several different schools of thought on what Jesus was referring to in saying it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to gain eternal life (Matthew 19:24; Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25). The Persians expressed the concept of the impossible by saying it would be easier to put an elephant through the eye of a needle. The camel was a Jewish adaptation (the largest animal in Palestine was a camel). Some theorize that the needle Jesus was speaking of was the Needle Gate, supposedly a low and narrow after-hours entrance found in the wall surrounding Jerusalem. It was purposely small for security reasons, and a camel could only go through it by stripping off any saddles or packs and crawling through on its knees. The problem with this theory is there is no evidence such a gate ever existed. Beyond that, what sane camel driver would go through such contortions when larger gates were easily accessible? Others claim that the word translated camel (Greek: kamelos) should actually be cable (Greek: kamilos ). Then the verse would read that it is easier for a cable (or rope) to go through the eye of a needle. To believe this, however, brings up more problems than it solves, namely casting doubt on the inerrancy and inspiration of Scripture. The most likely explanation is that Jesus was using hyperbole, a figure of speech that exaggerates for emphasis. Jesus used this technique at other times, referring to a plank in ones eye (Matthew 7:3-5) and swallowing a camel (Matthew 23:24). Jesus message is clear-it is impossible for anyone to be saved on his own merits. Since wealth was seen as proof of Gods approval, it was commonly taught by the rabbis that rich people were blessed by God and were, therefore, the most likely candidates for heaven. Jesus destroyed that notion, and along with it, the idea that anyone can earn eternal life. The disciples had the appropriate response to this startling statement. They were utterly amazed and asked, Who then can be saved? in the next verse. If the wealthy among them, which included the super-spiritual Pharisees and scribes, were unworthy of heaven, what hope was there for a poor man? Jesus answer is the basis of the gospel: With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26). Men are saved through Gods gifts of grace, mercy, and faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nothing we do earns salvation for us. It is the poor in spirit who inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:3), those who recognize their spiritual poverty and their utter inability to do anything to justify themselves to a holy God. The rich man so often is blind to his spiritual poverty because he is proud of his accomplishments and has contented himself with his wealth. He is as likely to humble himself before God as a camel is to crawl through the eye of a needle. **Pattyann Oloughlin- *Correct.. We can not serve 2 masters.. Money should not be our first thought when we wake up everyday or the last thought every evening,, God wants our hearts.. He sees our Hearts,, be careful Not to follow the Money .. .. Ask and you will recieve,, But remember to always ask for Wisdom first, Remember the money we earn or recieve is not ours,, lesson number ONE. **Frederick Thomas- *Titus 2:10...... adding luster to the teaching of our Savior Shalom... The eye of a needle. Mat 19:24 Matthew 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God I pick up in 1Timothy chapter 6 the affect riches can have on our salvation. 1 Tim. 6:17 Paul spoke earlier at length about those who desired to be rich. Here he deals with those who are already rich. Timothy should command them not to be haughty. This is a temptation to the wealthy. They are apt to look down on those who do not have a great deal of money as being uncouth, uncultured, and not very clever. This, of course, is not necessarily true. Great riches are not a sign of Gods blessing in the NT, as they were in the OT. Whereas wealth was a token of divine favor under the law, the great blessing of the new dispensation is affliction. The rich should not trust in, literally, “the uncertainty of riches.” Money has a way of sprouting wings and flying away. Whereas great resources give the appearance of providing security, the fact is that the only sure thing in this world is the word of God. Therefore, the rich are exhorted to trust in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. One of the great snares of riches is that it is difficult to have them without trusting in them. Yet this is really a form of idolatry. It is a denial of the truth that God is the One who gives us richly all things to enjoy. This latter statement does not condone luxurious living, but simply states that God is the Source of true enjoyment, and material things cannot produce this. 6:18 The Christian is reminded that the money he possesses is not his own. It is given to him as to a steward. He is responsible to use it for the glory of God and for the well- being of his fellow men. He should use it in the performance of good works and be willing to share it with the needy. John Wesleys rule of life was, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” Willing to share expresses the idea that he should be ready to use it wherever the Lord may indicate. 6:19 This verse emphasizes the truth that it is possible for us to use our material things in such a way in this life that they will reap eternal dividends. By using our funds in the work of the Lord at the present time, we are storing up... a good foundation for the time to come. In this way, we lay hold on the life which is life indeed. To God be The Glory! CONTRIBUTIONS/COMMENTS ARE STILL WELCOMED. GOD BLESS YOU.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:44:57 +0000