Passage From Matthew or Luke

Luke 18: 24-25

And Jesus said, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (Luke 18: 24-25).

This passage has two meanings. One is that a man's riches does not make him more desirable in the eyes of God, and the other is a man's wealth cannot buy him forgiveness.

It is all too common in society that the wealthy feel superior over the poor. The poor could not possibly love their children more than the wealthy. They could not possibly be better parents than the wealthy. They could not possibly be better role models for their children and community than the wealthy. Their marriages and relationships could not be better than those of the wealthy. The wealthy are wiser, more industrious and better citizens. In short they are better human beings and therefore, would have to be more desirable children of God. They believe that God favors them by bestowing upon them wealth and prestige. The poor are poor because they must have fallen out of favor with God. It is not society's fault, but their own. Their own doings has led to their poor circumstances. They wealthy believe that only they are in God's grace.

The wealthy do not necessarily believe that they themselves are without sins, however, they often feel that generous alms is acceptable restitution for those sins. It is not uncommon to know someone who has led a less than puritanical life, yet feel that a new steeple for the church, or new wing for a hospital somehow makes up for their transgressions. Moreover, the receiver of the alms often abet these beliefs, after all, the church needs a new steeple and the hospital certainly could use more room and if this person wants to relieve his guilty conscious with money, then so be it.

Above, politicians, world leaders, business moguls, celebrities, and even popes, the most respected person of the 20th century was Mother Teresa.