ABSTRACT
Many sources warn of the danger of wealth. Wealth is often seen as having the potential to lead the rich astray, perverting their values. The rich must thus constantly be on guard. This source from the New Testament goes further. In this story, Jesus asserts that it is impossible for the rich to overcome the snare of wealth and achieve eternal reward. It is unclear whether he means that the snares of wealth are so great that the rich cannot overcome them (which would explain why the erstwhile disciple is left grieving) or that wealth is itself essentially bad. In later Christian communities this becomes an important text to justify the value of poverty. Later Jewish sources (e.g., C6 ) pick up this theme as well. This source also exhibits an extreme view on one’s obligations to the poor.
