Saving the Rich
What does it mean to be saved?
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, "Then who can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:24-26
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples the rich will have a hard time making it to God's Kingdom, and the disciples are upset about this.
Why?
The disciples didn't have any money; they left everything behind to follow Jesus. Peter even goes on to say this, wondering what will happen to them. Why would he be concerned?
Perhaps he was worried about the fate of those who supported them in their journey, the merchants and widows who gave them money and food, who took them in and cared for them in their travels.
What will be of them, he might have wondered?
We all know someone who has money, and we may even know one or two folks we would say are rich. Are we worried about them?
Shouldn't we be?
According to Jesus, we can't save them, but God can. But I think we can help.
We can talk to our friends and tell them we are concerned. We want them to live rich and full lives, not only now, in this world, but in the next as well. Perhaps we can find things for them to do with their money, people they can help, causes they can support.
It is for their own good, right?
All we need to do is get them started. God will do the rest. He will give them enormous satisfaction, fill them with joy, help them to see that there is more to life than accumulating things. They will become joyful servants.
But if we don't start the ball rolling, who will?
I think we should start a campaign today to save the rich. It will not be easy. We have a lot of obstacles in the way, and generations of addiction to wealth to overcome, but it is doable, with God's help, of course.
#SaveTheRich
Let's give it a try.
More to come...