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. Mark 10:25
“They are ungrateful not only toward God, which is a necessary sequence, when they blaspheme, condemn His Word and destroy His commandments, but also toward men; for they have received great good and honor from the princes of the whole world, and their entire comfortable life is the sweat and blood of others. Neither do they acknowledge that when a city or district is destroyed they shall contribute and help with their abundant riches and treasures; this is nothing else than simply keeping their treasures in their own pockets. Again, if their interest and goods in any way are interfered with there is no mercy exercised in excommunication, driving and martyrdom. No one thinks or says, “Very well, then, seeing that we have such and such goods or lands and to spare, and since they have had such trouble and ruin, we will now show them love and extend a helping hand.” It is a spiritual blessing and must not serve worldly affairs; yes, they consider it the greatest vice if they should be charitable, and say, “He who does that ravages the goods of the bishopric, cloister and the holy church.” Therefore that the goods of the church may always remain, Christian love and genuine gratitude must perish. And yet those who do such things are not spiritual, holy people, and they will enter into heaven as little as a cow into a mouse-hole.”
Martin Luther (1483-1546) Sermons by Martin Luther, ed. John Nicholas Lenker, trans. John Nicholas Lenker, et al. (Vol. 1, Sermons on Gospel Texts for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany) 370-371.
I had heard that former Augustinian monk and central figure in the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther, took a pointed approach in his sermons (much like Augustine of Hippo long before him), so when I read this, I just had to post it.
Let’s just say Luther does not commend the one who holds on to abundant riches and treasures for themselves, but shows how their actions condemn themselves. He portrays them as ungrateful, blasphemous, and destructive. In short, they aim at comfortable living rather than charitable giving.
By the end of the reading I realized that Luther’s language gives depth to the pointed words of Jesus in today’s Scripture. Of course, the camel for Jesus corresponds to the cow for Luther. The eye of the needle for Jesus links to the mouse-hole for Luther.
What’s the point related to generosity?
Both voices (Jesus, with the rich man in Mark 10:17-31, and Luther with the wealthy in his day) remind us that the reason it is “hard” for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven is because they must shift where they place their trust to follow Him. God (not money) is the only key that unlocks that door.
Jenni and I fly to Florida today to spend a couple days with my parents, Jack and Patsy Hoag. They have given all but the basic necessities to charity and moved to Lake Wales, to live next to Warner University, where my brother, David, serves as president, and his, Joanna, makes a great first lady!