Treasures in Heaven

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.For where your treasure is,there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19,20,21.

"Assuredly I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew:19:23.

The above passages are always challenges for preachers,teachers and so-called bible scholars.Most often these people will say that Jesus is not condemning being rich, but that he is criticizing having a preoccupation with money and possessions.When Jesus spoke the above words it was believed by the Jews of that time, that riches were a sign of God's approval and blessing upon an individual.The more money a person had, the more alms they could give and the more sacrifices they could offer.With this, the Jews thought(as recorded in the Talmud), that they could purchase redemption.It sort of makes one think of the papal indulgences that came later.Of course,Jesus totally rejected this type of thinking.I find it interesting that some of the most successful "christian" ministries today promote the belief that the Word of God promises wealth and success to believers.A perversion of scripture if there ever was one.

So does Jesus want us to live in poverty? Of course not.He knew, what anyone who asks Our Lord to open his mind as he reads and studies these passages in the Bible should know; that considering our carnal human nature, riches will preoccupy our lives and lead us away from a real relationship with Him.