Will No Rich Men Be in Heaven? Question 24.

Jonathan Shuttlesworth, in his book and YouTube blog 35 Questions for Those Who Hate the Prosperity Gospel, addresses Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:24:

“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.”

Shuttlesworth claims that this verse does not exclude the rich from heaven but instead refers to a narrow gate called “the eye of the needle,” where camels had to unload their goods to pass through. He argues that wealth does not determine salvation, accusing critics of prosperity theology of misinterpreting this passage.

This blog critically evaluates Shuttlesworth’s commentary, examines the historical and textual context of Matthew 19:24, and assesses his broader claims about wealth and salvation.

1. The Eye of the Needle: Myth or Reality?

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth asserts that the “eye of the needle” refers to a narrow gate in the walls of a city, through which camels had to unload their possessions to pass. He uses this interpretation to argue that Jesus’ teaching is about the challenges of wealth, not its incompatibility with salvation.

Historical Evidence

1. No Evidence of Such a Gate in Jesus’ Time:

   • The idea of a gate called the “eye of the needle” appears in commentary from the 9th century but lacks historical evidence from the time of Jesus.

   • Scholars agree that this interpretation is anachronistic and likely arose as a way to soften Jesus’ challenging statement about wealth.

     
     

2. Literal Meaning of the Needle:

   • The Greek word for “needle” in this passage (rhaphis) refers to a sewing needle. Luke’s parallel account (Luke 18:25) uses belonē, also meaning a literal needle.

   • Jesus’ statement is intentionally hyperbolic, illustrating the impossibility of salvation through human means.

     
     

Critical Analysis

Shuttlesworth’s interpretation of the “eye of the needle” as a gate is unfounded and distracts from the radical nature of Jesus’ teaching. By using hyperbole, Jesus emphasizes the difficulty of the rich entering God’s kingdom without divine intervention.

2. Wealth and Salvation in Matthew 19

The Context

In Matthew 19:16-30, a rich young ruler asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus instructs him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. The young man walks away sorrowful because of his great wealth.

Key Lessons from the Passage

1. The Danger of Wealth:

   • Jesus highlights the spiritual dangers of wealth, which can lead to self-reliance, greed, and misplaced priorities.

   • Matthew 6:24: “You cannot serve both God and money.”

     
     

2. Human Impossibility and Divine Grace:

   • Jesus’ hyperbolic statement about the camel and the needle underscores that salvation is impossible through human effort.

   • Matthew 19:26: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

     
     

Critical Analysis

Shuttlesworth’s focus on material wealth ignores the broader teaching of the passage, which challenges the rich to abandon their reliance on possessions and trust fully in God.

3. Evaluating Shuttlesworth’s Broader Claims

Claim: “Jesus Was Wealthy”

Shuttlesworth argues that Jesus was wealthy, using this assertion to justify the pursuit of financial prosperity.

Biblical Evidence

1. Jesus’ Simplicity:

   • Matthew 8:20: “The Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”Jesus lived a life of humility and dependence on God, not one of material abundance.

     
     

2. Misrepresentation of Jesus’ Mission:

   • Jesus came to proclaim the Kingdom of God, not to amass wealth or teach material prosperity. His example calls believers to live sacrificially, prioritizing eternal treasures over earthly gain.

     
     

Critical Analysis

Shuttlesworth’s claim that Jesus was wealthy lacks biblical support and distorts the gospel message. Jesus’ life demonstrates that true riches are found in relationship with God, not material possessions.

Claim: “Being Rich Doesn’t Put You in Hell Any More Than Being Poor Gets You Into Heaven”

Shuttlesworth correctly notes that wealth or poverty does not determine salvation, which comes through faith in Christ. However, his rhetoric downplays the spiritual dangers of wealth emphasized throughout Scripture.

Biblical Warnings About Wealth

1. 1 Timothy 6:9-10: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”

   
   

2. James 5:1-3: “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.”

   
   

Critical Analysis

While salvation is not dependent on financial status, Scripture consistently warns that wealth can hinder spiritual growth and lead to misplaced priorities. Shuttlesworth’s argument risks trivializing these warnings.

4. A Balanced Theology of Wealth and Salvation

Faith Over Finances

Salvation comes through faith in Christ, not through wealth or poverty. However, wealth poses unique challenges:

• It can foster self-reliance, greed, and neglect of others (Luke 12:16-21).

• True discipleship requires surrendering all to follow Christ (Luke 14:33).

  
  

Stewardship Over Accumulation

The Bible calls believers to steward their resources for God’s glory and the good of others:

• 1 Timothy 6:17-19:

  “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God.”

  
  

Eternal Perspective

Jesus consistently redirects attention from earthly riches to eternal treasures:

• Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

  
  

Conclusion: Do Rich Men Go to Heaven?

Shuttlesworth’s commentary on Matthew 19:24 manipulates the text by promoting an unfounded interpretation of the “eye of the needle” and downplaying Jesus’ radical challenge to the rich. While wealth itself does not determine salvation, the Bible warns of its spiritual dangers and calls believers to prioritize faith, generosity, and eternal treasures over material possessions.

True prosperity is found in Christ, not in the accumulation of wealth. The gospel calls all believers—rich and poor alike—to surrender everything to follow Jesus, trusting in God’s grace for salvation and provision.

Author: Evg. Bradley Sliedrecht BCL, M.Div. ✝️📖✨

(PhD Student)