Money, money, money

Luke 18:18-25

1. What prevented the ruler joining Jesus?

The ruler could not join Jesus though he does not commit adultery, murder, steal, give false testimony, honor his father and mother. But when Jesus asked him to sell everything and give to the poor in order to have treasure in heaven and follow Jesus, the ruler became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.

Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

James 5:1-6

2. Why did James rebuke the rich?

The wealth of the rich has rotted, and moths have eaten their clothes. Their gold and silver are corroded. The corrosion will testify against them and eat their flesh like fire. The rich have hoarded wealth in the last days.

Look! The wages the rich failed to pay the workmen who mowed their fields are crying out against them. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. The rich have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. They have fattened themselves in the day of slaughter.

The rich have condemned and murdered innocent men.