How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. (NRSV 6:24-25)
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. (KJV 6:24-25)
When he says stuff like this, we can almost imagine Jesus feeling at home in one of the Occupy Wall Street camps. They're certainly not going to let him into a tie-only country club. He'll send everyone home feeling guilty if he's not arrested first.
Quote #2
As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. (NRSV 8:14)
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (KJV 8:14)
According to Jesus, the pursuit of wealth = the pursuit of pleasures, and both will turn you into a worrywart. Wealth-seeking creates a hustle and bustle that "chokes" more profound values like, well, God.
Quote #3
The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, 'What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?' Then he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God. (NRSV 12:16-21)
The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (KJV 12:16-21)
Here's a committed capitalist for you. Too bad you can't take it with you. His bank account's going to leave him short-changed when the Grim Reaper comes to get him.