I was reading through James' latest blog on his personal page here and noticed that it was based on what I feel (from reading his blogs and chatting to him) is his main challenge. And that is earthly riches..

"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." Mark 10:25

It so clearly states in the bible that:

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10

However I begin this blog by giving a 'quick' answer to the title question. Immediately when I thought of the question, I said No! That would mean that a poor Christian would infact be more holy; which would, seem plausible. But then if we quickly delve, to a scenario of a Christian that is a poor steward of his money, wastes it/gambles/loses it and becomes poor, then the 'quick' answer to this question would have them as a holier Christian.. If you see where my mind has taken me yeah..

God looks at the relationship we have to the money.

Now I chose the word rich for the question in a loose monetary sense. I see the word rich as a state of mind it's an attitude, wealth on the other hand is how much you have (whether it's money in the bank, houses, cars, investments)..
It fits so clearly with what James has seen on his travels abroad and in this country. The people he meets, have no possessions, no money, they are what we would say 'don't have a penny to their name' but they are far from poor. In a monetary sense, yes. But on a spiritual level, my word they are rich and abundantly so..

Now I can't really seem to get over how in my head, i'm working out about Rich and Wealth and whatever, so I apologise if this is not making sense or contradicting definitions and things. So i'm going to quickly brainstorm

Rich - Fat, Abundance, Affluent, Deep, Strong
Wealth - The state when you are rich, plentiful, accumulated assets, Affluent.
**Argh where is my head taking me :D**

In the bible we see Abraham, Issac, Jacob, King David, Solomon, and Boaz to name a few. All were blessed with wealth.

"Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 5:19

The rich will have to guard against making money their God, and the Bible warns the rich to be ready to distribute to those who have need. This is what I feel is the major problem we have in the world today, and as James so clearly recites when he comes back from mission trips. We see it every day on the news of our greed.

Now not everyone is called to sell and give up all they have to serve God and to give to those with little, but make sure your ears and heart aren't blocked with money and possessions, so that when God comes asking you to follow him you don't miss Him..

Josh