the_REAL_sam's Journal: Regarding Wealth; Oath of Poverty

Oath of Poverty?

The New Testament says (in multiple places) that the wealthy are not going to reach heaven.

However, the OLD TESTAMENT SEEMS TO CONDONE WEALTH. (and tithes, charity)

GIVE (everything?) TO THE POOR
Matthew 19
  16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
  17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
  18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
  19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
  20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
  21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
  22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
  23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
  25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
  26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
see also Mark 10:16-18
see also Luke 18:18

CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MONEY
Luke 16
  11If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
  12And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
  13No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and *mammon.
*mammon = wealth
see also Matthew 6:23-25

LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL
1 Timothy 6
  6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
  7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
  8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
  9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
  10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
  11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
  12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

ANANIAS HELD BACK MONEY AND DIED ON THE SPOT
Acts 5
  1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
  2And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
  3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
  4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
  5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
  6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
  7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
  8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
  9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
  10Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
  11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.