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It is hard but not impossible for rich people to enter God’s kingdom. They must put their hope in God, not in their riches. Rich people who live selfishly, abuse their position and fail to repent and live for Jesus Christ, are in peril.

Parables concerning rich people

2Sa 12:1-10; Mt 13:44-46; Mt 18:23; Mt 22:2 pp Lk 14:16; Mt 25:14 pp Lk 19:12; Lk 12:16; Lk 15:11-13; Lk 16:1; Lk 18:10

Rich people have received blessing

1Ti 6:17 See also Ps 1:3; Ps 112:1-3

They have friends Pr 14:20; Pr 19:4

They have power Pr 22:7

They have security Pr 10:15; Pr 18:11

Warnings to rich people

They should recognise that God is the giver of riches Dt 8:17-18 See also Dt 32:13-15; Hos 2:8

They should not be arrogant or complacent on account of their riches Jer 9:23-24 See also Ps 49:5-6; Jer 49:4; Hos 12:8; 1Ti 6:17; Rev 3:17

They should not trust in their riches Pr 11:28 See also Ps 49:6; Ps 52:7; Ps 62:10; Jer 48:7

They face disaster if they lack wisdom Ps 49:20 See also Pr 28:11; Jer 9:23-24

They must live moral lives Pr 28:6 See also Pr 22:16; Jer 5:27-28; Jer 17:11; Mic 6:12

Wealth can bring anxiety Ecc 5:12 See also Mt 6:25-34 pp Lk 12:22-31

Riches are of fleeting value Lk 12:16-21 See also Ps 49:5-12; Pr 27:24; Ecc 5:15; Isa 10:3; Mt 6:19; 1Ti 6:7; Job 1:21; Jas 1:10-11

Ultimate security is found in God alone Ex 15:2; 2Sa 22:33; 1Ch 16:11; Ps 28:7; Ps 29:11; Ps 46:1; Ps 52:6-7; Isa 12:2; Hab 3:19

It is hard for rich people to enter God’s kingdom Mt 19:23-26 pp Mk 10:23-27 pp Lk 18:24-27 See also Mt 13:22 pp Mk 4:18-19 pp Lk 8:14; Mt 19:16-22 pp Mk 10:17-22 pp Lk 18:18-23

Rich people will be judged for their behaviour

Zec 11:5-6; Lk 1:53

If they exploit, oppress or kill the poor Jas 5:1-4 See also Pr 14:31; Pr 22:16; Pr 28:3; Eze 18:12-13; Eze 22:29-31; Jas 2:6; Jas 5:6

If they hoard wealth and live selfishly Jas 5:5 See also Lk 12:16-21; Lk 16:19-31

If they slander the name of Jesus Christ Jas 2:7

Commands to rich people

To seek God’s kingdom as first priority Mt 6:19-21,31-33 pp Lk 12:29-31; 1Ti 6:19

To repent from sin Rev 3:17,19

To be generous towards the needy 1Ti 6:18 See also Mt 19:21 pp Mk 10:21 pp Lk 18:22; Lk 3:11; Lk 11:41; Lk 12:33-34; Lk 14:12-14; Lk 16:9; Lk 19:8; 2Co 8:1-5,9 Jesus Christ’s example the motivation for generosity; 2Co 8:13-15; 2Co 9:6-15

Incorrect attitudes to the rich

Ecc 10:20 cursing them; Ps 49:16-17 living in awe of them; Ps 49:5-6 fearing them Showing favouritism to them: Job 34:18-19; Pr 22:2; Jas 2:1-4

God brings good news for rich people

Ps 22:29-31; Mt 9:9-10 pp Mk 2:14-15 pp Lk 5:27-29; Mt 27:57 pp Mk 15:43 pp Lk 23:50-51; Lk 19:1-10

Examples of rich people

See also