Is it sinful to be rich?

Jesus said "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." from Matthew 19:23. But the passage continues with the disciples asking “Who then can be saved?” and Jesus answered “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” from Matthew 19:25. There are also numerous bible passages about giving and generosity. 

Political parties throughout the world try to use these as excuses to gain power by taking from the "rich". It never seams to work out because making everyone equally poor results in a poor economy. The power hungry politicians become the oppressors. The observation that "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely" by Lord Acton has shown to be true many times. Samuel also warned the people of Israel when they wanted a King that "He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves" 1 Samuel 8:17. 

A few questions to consider: 

• Should hard work be rewarded?
  
  
• Is the only way to get rich by oppressing others?
   
• If you need a lot of money who do you go to? 
  
  
• Is buying something, giving to the poor? 
  
  
• Does the desire to make money drive innovation? 
  
  
• Does innovation improve everyone's lives? 
  
  
• Is it a sin to be greedy? 
  
  
• Can you be poor and greedy? 
  
  
• Can you be rich and generous?

Closing with a quote from a rich person who made money by making things cheaper

The Andrew Carnegie Dictum: To spend the first third of one’s life getting all the education one can. To spend the next third making all the money one can. To spend the last third giving it all away to worthwhile causes. Galli, A. ( Aug. 20, 2018) How to Maximize Your Life with the Andrew Carnegie Dictum, retrieved from  https://medium.com/swlh/how-to-maximize-your-life-with-the-andrew-carnegie-dictum-b7fcb862e6f0  6/14/20