Luke 19 - More on the rich and the poor....

This probably won't be relevant, but did you ever think that we are still doing this.....if you look at it in a certain way, it might be true that 1/2 of what our state and federal tax collectors (publicans) are collecting is actually going to the poor or needed. I'm talking about welfare, food stamps and other assistance allowances, as well as MediCal, Medicare, even social security and other benefit payments. It's true if one adds up all the entitlements, and perhaps even considers the millions of government jobs being provided, people are sustained by our tax dollars....it probably is half if not more.

Anyway I don't want to get political. But we actually as a country are quite generous, I don't believe the Roman state in Jesus's day had such programs, so personal giving was an important part of helping. And just to be clear, in the Bible the poor do have a high place in it's teaching and we can all have a heart drawn to be generous. We might not be called to give all, or even half, but we can be generous.

Luk 19:2  And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

Luk 19:8  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

Btw, in an ironic way, God's call to be generously giving is progress, Zaccharus was rich and gave half, the certain young ruler was very rich he was told he could work his way into eternal life by giving all.

Luk 18:22  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Luk 18:23  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

In Acts in the most serious lesson on giving we find Peter teaching...

Act 5:4  Whiles 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.

Back to the rich young ruler, just remember he couldn't do it, and Jesus' point was you can't work your way into Heaven, either by following the law 

Luk 18:20  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

Luk 18:21  And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

or giving everything away.

But there is another way.

Luk 18:26  And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

Luk 18:27  And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.