Roger Hertzler. Jesus told us, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And again, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
Many Christians who take Jesus’ commandments very seriously on nonresistance and divorce shrug off His teachings on laying up treasures on earth. In this challenging book, Hertzler challenges all of us to take Jesus’ teachings on wealth seriously.
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Roger Hertzler. Jesus told us, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And again, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
Christian stewardship, as commonly taught today, tells us that part of wise financial management is to deposit money regularly into savings and allow it to accumulate. The doctrine of nonaccumulation, on the other hand, states that Jesus forbids His followers to accumulate wealth on earth and commands them to distribute to others that which they do not currently need. Which of these teachings is correct? How important is it that we know? What is at stake if we answer these questions wrongly?
Does it really matter how many possessions a Christian has? Isn’t it your attitude toward your possessions that matters?
What about the parable of the talents? Doesn’t that encourage wise financial investment?
Haven’t we all known godly rich people? Doesn’t God want people with great financial resources dedicated to His kingdom?
Does God really favor poor people? Can’t poor people be just as guilty of covetousness as rich people?
What are we to make of Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler? Can’t we assume they were intended only for a young man who had a problem with materialism, but not for us?
Finally, isn’t the gospel so confusing on the subject that it’s just a matter for each Christian to interpret for himself? Will Jesus, after all, consider it a sin if I lay up treasures on earth? What about all the other exemplary Christians who are doing it? The list of common questions and objections could run on and on. Roger Hertzler has tackled this hotly debated subject with charitable straightforward look at what Jesus clearly taught on all these issues. Yes, your very relationship with Christ hinges on what you do with those teachings. Jesus clearly and repeatedly said so. As you read, you may be surprised at how dogmatically Jesus set forth a doctrine that many choose to ignore.
Many Christians who take Jesus’ commandments very seriously on nonresistance and divorce shrug off His teachings on laying up treasures on earth. In this challenging book, Hertzler challenges all of us to take Jesus’ teachings on wealth seriously.
101 pp. paperback. $5.95
Note: All profits from the sale of this book go to help the poor in Honduras.
Reviews
My name is Kristi and I just finished reading this book. I got it for free at our homeschool fair in Portland Oregon. I’m 35, married 15 years with 5 children and I homeschool them on our 3 acre farm. I have to say this book has turned my world upside down with your radical book! I have lately been very burdened with our “stuff” and I’m always looking for ways to purge and give and I feel like the seed that was choked by the worries and cares of this life! I feel burried in cares and possessions which I would love to sell, the idea of doing it seems overwhelming! I really love your book and I agree with all that you bring out of the Scriptures. My biggest question is how to live like this when everyone you know doesn’t? The early church was of one accord and they all shared and helped one another. If we give away our savings and our roof needs to be repaired in 3 years or our car of 15 years burns out what do we do if everyone we know saves for themselves? I’m not trying to come up w
A book for every serious, radical follower of Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You for just showing us in a very clear way what Jesus said!!!! I am trying (by the strength & power of Christ) to applying this Kingdom Mandate to my life, Thank-You for the work you are doing!!!!!! We need more Christians like this, following Jesus radically (an Early Church/Early Anabaptist understanding of what it means to FOLLOW JESUS ) with our time, money & possessions. I love to study Church History and am encouraged to find books like this that so beautifully parallel the Bible & History.
If you desire to take the teachings of Christ seriously, please read this book. It has helped me to see ways in my life that I have selfishly indulged myself, without much thought to the needs around me. Why work so hard to preserve this life? After all, Hertzler’s got it right when he says that worldly investments may last several decades, but investing in Heavenly treasure has eternal value. My perspective on wealth has definitely been challenged. Great book!
Like Gideon, who was told to go destroy his father’s idols, the author bravely begins to smash THE idol of western society…and sad to say, of much of modern Anabaptism. This book is certainly worth the time to read. But if you are not into taking Jesus seriously at His words, then find something else to do.
My eyes were opened to what true Christianity is when I read David Bercot’s Kingdom book. I read Through the Eye of a Needle next, and was equally impressed. It has so much scripture in it that one just can’t argue! I thank the Lord for bringing these two books into our lives.
I finished reading the book “Through the Eye of a Needle” last night. I say a great big “AMEN!!” Not that I have obeyed or am obeying this command of Jesus, but I plan to from now till Jesus comes.
I strongly recommend this book. I’ve read it twice. Simple to read, yet challenging.
Read my full review with comments from Hertzler at my blog http://www.thoughtspercolating.blogspot.com Roger Hertzler in his book, Through the Eye of a Needle: The Doctrine of Nonaccumulation, asks us to “examine the things you have always believed to be true” about your own fiscal policy and its basis in God’s Word. His central thesis is that, “Jesus forbids His people to accumulate wealth on this earth, but rather commands them to distribute those possessions they do not currently need for the needs of others and for spreading the gospel.” Before delving into his defense of the main thesis Hertzler defines what a doctrine is, discuses the importance of doctrines, and what should be the criterion for their acceptance or rejection. He also gives a set of rules regarding the interpretation of Scripture. The dissection of these first few chapters are paramount to understanding the many logical fallacies that are contained in this short volume. A doctrine based on man’s logic is subject t
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