Is it a sin to be rich?

[ydoaPs]

Is it a sin to be rich?

 

"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and [thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."-Matthew 19:16-24

 

The word for "rich" in verse 24 is "πλούσιος" which most certainly does not mean "greedy", in case you were wondering.

 

The same word shows up in Luke 6 when Jesus says "But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation".

[Phi for All]

I could understand it being a sin to love your possessions more than your family, friends and neighbors. While being rich usually means you have more possessions, I don't think it means that automatically.

 

I suppose it's a matter of intent. Is a doctor/policeman/lawyer a better doctor/policeman/lawyer if he becomes one to help people instead of just for the money or power it gives him? Are you a better person if, despite being rich, the money is not what's important to you, but how you use that money?

 

If I had $10M handed to me right now, I could tell you that I wouldn't spend very much on possessions, but if I worked for that money and earned it over a 10 year period, I'd probably convince myself along the way that I deserved more stuff. Is it part of being rich that what money can buy for you takes on greater importance?