Catholics: how is the vatican following message of Jesus when they are richest organization in the world?
Jesus said it is easier for a camel to pass thru the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom. So how does these super wealthy group of guys in (seriously no offense but this is the God's honest truth) funny hats that live in a golden palace expect to enter the kingdom? Sldgman> Really it must be about hating white people then huh? From YOUR attitude I would guess oblivion is too good for you Lives7> take your own advice. The Pope is the autocrat of the Vatican..come on stop using 1st grader logic here and wake up to the big boy world. I asked a serious question and I get "boo hoo the pope is awesome and you're mean and Jesus meant wealthy people are the best when he said it is almost impossible for them to enter heaven" Fireball > Really how do you know? Is there a bulletin somewhere with the judges on it? What if I AM the judge? ADD> Look before people get their panties in a bunch..not saying Catholics are no good...just wondering if Jesus really had a massive palace in mind with priceless art and opulence where the heads of his church are kept aloof from the common folk. That really sound like his teachings? D.O.J > This is not about the Church..but the Vatican which might be the head but not the entire church Daver > That is some of the best incorrect propeganda I have ever heard. Anyway have fun making crap up and throwing it around...and remember anyone who has a different opinion should be burned at the stake....that is what your Vatican masters command
Religion & Spirituality - 15 Answers
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1 :
I don't know, walmart might be the richest organization in the world...
2 :
Jesus said "rich man", not "rich organization"... There's always a loophole.
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they believe in the TRinity and you arent their judge.. Methodist
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The whole chapter of Revelation 18 explains about Babylon the Great this includes all religions that follow this example.(Revelation 18:7-9) To the extent that she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury, to that extent give her torment and mourning. For in her heart she keeps saying, ‘I sit a queen, and I am no widow, and I shall never see mourning.’ 8 That is why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah God, who judged her, is strong. 9 “And the kings of the earth who committed fornication with her and lived in shameless luxury will weep and beat themselves in grief over her, when they look at the smoke from the burning of her,
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The verse you quoted is not a condemnation of the wealthy. The Pope and the bishops in the Vatican hope to enter the Kingdom of God by loving God with all of their heart mind, and soul and their neighbor as themselves. From the attitude of your "question", they have a MUCH, MUCH better chance of entering the kingdom than you.
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God blessed them with their riches...they follow him with all their heart and he rewards them..and just because thier rich doesnt mean they dont give to other people. An organization is rich in many other ways then just money but God has given them all the money they need to help his unfortunate children.
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A Persecuted Little Flock When speaking to His disciples about the importance of seeking the kingdom of God, Christ said, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom†(Luke 12:32). By no stretch can churches comprised of millions, let alone over 2 billion, be considered a “little flock.†Christ understood that His Church—His little flock—would be persecuted and despised by the world. Just before His crucifixion, He warned, “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you†(John 15:20). In the previous verse in the context, Jesus had reminded His disciples that “I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.†Christ was persecuted, to the point of horrible crucifixion after a night of brutal torture. Therefore, the true Church could also expect to be persecuted—and hated! Those in it are not “of the world.†The world senses this and hates them for it (Rom. 8:7). Christ used Paul to record, “Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution†(II Tim. 3:12). The word “all†means what it says! Consider what we have just discussed. How many churches can you name that are small, persecuted, not of this world—and even hated because of it? Think about those you are familiar with. Do any fit this description? Surely not many! The Importance of the Name of the Church The world’s churches have many different names, which are derived in various ways. These include the particular doctrines they teach, the names of the men who founded them, the humanly-devised type of church government that they espouse, their location, or their intended scope and size, such as universal or catholic—in order to be thought of as all-encompassing. On the night of His betrayal, Christ prayed for His Church. Here is what He said: “Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one, as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name…I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Your truth: Your word is truth†(John 17:11-12, 14-17). There are twelve separate places where the New Testament records that the true Church has been kept in the name of the Father—God. The first five refer to the entire Church, or Body of Christ, as a whole. The next four speak of a specific local congregation, while using the same term “Church of God.†This may refer to the Church of God at Judea or Corinth, etc. The final three references speak collectively of all the individual local congregations combined. All these references use the term “Churches of Godâ€: (1) Acts 20:28: This verse is instruction to the elders to “feed the church of god.†(2) I Corinthians 10:32: “Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of god.†(3) I Corinthians 11:22: “…or despise you the church of god, and shame them that have not?†(4) I Corinthians 15:9: Paul wrote the same thing to two congregations: “For…I persecuted the church of god.†(5) Galatians 1:13: “I persecuted the church of god.†(6) I Corinthians 1:2: “the church of god which is at Corinth.†(7) II Corinthians 1:1: “the church of god which is at Corinth.†(8) I Timothy 3:5: Paul references any elder in a local congregation: “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of god?†(9) I Timothy 3:15: “…behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living god.†This verse adds a descriptive word to God by using the term “living.†(10) I Corinthians 11:16: “…We have no such custom, neither the churches of god.†(11) I Thessalonians 2:14: “For you…became followers of the churches of god which in Judea are in Christ Jesus.†(12) II Thessalonians 1:4: “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of god.†In the modern age, for corporate reasons, the Church may use an additional descriptive name to distinguish itself from other “Churches of Godâ€â€”those merely appropriating God’s name, but not obeying His commandments, believing His true doctrines or doing His Work. Herbert W. Armstrong, the twentieth-century leader of the Church, chose the name Worldwide Church of God and before that, Radio Church of God. We have chosen the name The Restored Church of God. Just as various mainstream denominations may have a few correct doctrines mixed with much error, some appropriate to themselves the name of God’s Church. This booklet will later explain why some few churches may even have a significant amount of truth, but choose to accept a variety of false doctrines. Only one church on the face of t
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The do not follow Jesus' original message. Ever since the Middle Ages, the pope and practically all religious officials were in it for the riches and money. They demanded indulgences for salvation and money for non-religious trinkets. This selfish tradition continues to this day, where the popes and bishops, rather than wearing the ragged garments of St. Peter and the original apostles, wear luxurious robes and possess purely material possessions.
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I'm not a Roman Catholic, but I hope I can help answer your question. It's not very hard to be the richest organization in the world when you have over 1 Billion adherents. That's probably the biggest reason they're so wealthy. Also, Christ didn't mean that the rich couldn't enter the Kingdom of God, for "two can do anything if one is the Lord," even pass through the eye of a needle. That phrase, in fact, may be referring to a gate in Jerusalem. When you look at Solomon, he was blessed (without asking) by God with extreme wealth. Money is a neutral thing in life, neither good nor evil, and God would not have given it too him as a reward if otherwise. Yes, he was corrupted in the end by his money and women, but that was the fault of man and not of money. David for example, died "having enjoyed his wealth." My prayer is not that the Roman Catholic Church would have more or less money, but rather that it would always seek to be a faithful steward and use the wealth the create and equip disciples of Christ.
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The Pope owns nothing. It is all shared among the Community of Believer in Christ. You might find this passage in the Bible from Jesus if you looked...also check out God the Fathers given instructions for the building of Solomons Temple! Please, know what you are asking about before embarrassing yourself. Edit: The Truth will set you free. No need to add or subtract from the Truth. Did you read the Bible?
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The Vatican's reported annual operating budget is about $260 million, and its net worth is estimatedly about a billion dollars. This is for an organization that has supposedly over a billion members. The Roman Catholic Church has a tremendous number of charitable institutions, from simple food banks to major hospitals. The artworks of the Vatican have been accumulated over the course of centuries and wouldn't fetch all that much on the market. And I would be curious about just how much gilding the Lateran palace actually has on it.
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I agree with you. Jesus didn't prance around in gold suits and expensive hats. I like what you quoted though! It's great! :) "It is easier for a camel to pass thru the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom." Ha, I like how alot of people are defending the popes riches... I mean come on.... really? Does the pope need expensive wealth? I don't like to believe that God would bless the pope with riches when there are people experiencing famine and going through a terrible life.
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They aren't. Please do not look at the catholic church and think that they have much to do with Jesus or what He taught. Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey wearing normal close. I can just picture Him. It was a little donkey, He must of looked fairly silly. His feet about dragging on the ground. Palm leaves spread out in front of Him for a carpet. You see, the things that Jesus preached and that the bible says are not what the catholic church promotes or follows. Before I was a Christian, I was really turned off because of everything that I knew of the catholic church. But after I became a Christian, I learned that the catholic church doesn't resemble Christianity. They are a man made religious organization hell bent on power. The true Christian Church is the body of believers who honestly believe that Jesus is God in the flesh who came down and died on a cross to pay the sin debt of mankind. He died, was buried, and was raised on the 3rd day according to the scriptures. Once you believe this, your sins are forgiven and the Holy Spirit can come inside you and give you a new spirit with God. You are born again! Those people are the true Church. Now these people have always existed along side of the catholic church. Some are in the catholic church. But, being part of the catholic church has nothing to do with true Christianity. In fact, in the catholich church you are more likely to be confused about everything, worship false idols, put your faith in men and dead saints, and never come to know God or His will for this earth. Also, THE POPE IS NOT OUR HOLY FATHER!!! Jesus said not to call any man your father, except for our Father in Heaven. The pope is a sinful man. Just like the rest of us. It is sick when people look at him and worship him. So please, learn about the true Jesus and true Christianity before you let your heart be hardened by the catholic church. I believe that they are an institution of satan for that very purpose.
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Obviously they are not following Jesus. They are primarily, a political organization. many of it's members serve God - really - but the group, as a whole, is more political than spiritual. Bravo. Welcome to the protestant reformation. BTW you're just a few four or five hundred years late to the party, but.... welcome.
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<<Catholics: how is the vatican following message of Jesus when they are richest organization in the world?>> The Vatican is not rich. The annual budget of Vatican City is no larger than the annual budget of the City of Chicago - and the Vatican's budget ends up in the red by millions more often than not. The facts suggest that the Vatican is, far and away, NOT the "richest organization in the world". <<Jesus said it is easier for a camel to pass thru the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom.>> You misunderstood Jesus. Mere possession of money, in and of itself, is not sinful. So a person cannot be condemned to hell simply because he/she has a lot of money. It's the LOVE OF MONEY that is sinful. The many to whom Jesus was speaking to loved his wealth. That is why he was willing for forsake his soul in favor of his earthly wealth. That man's sin was not merely being wealthy. His sin was that he loved his money more than He loved God. <<So how does these super wealthy group of guys in (seriously no offense but this is the God's honest truth) funny hats that live in a golden palace expect to enter the kingdom?>> They are not wealthy. They don't actually own any money that the Church has. Also, the hats they wear represent their clerical "office" in the Church. It's not a sin to wear vestments worthy of one's clerical "office" within the Church. Also, Saint Peter's Basilica is a house of worship, not a palace. And, it is not made of gold. You are the one who's soul may not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, because you are not willing to acknowledge the Christ-likeness of people whom you do not deem Worthy. Shame on you!
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