"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" says Jesus in the Bible (Matthew 19.24 and Mark 10.25).

	Superstition		Mary-Talers
	The Alchemists		Angel Coins
	Numismatic Amulets		Pieces of Silver
	Coins in Graves		Christmas Coins

Many people infer from this saying that riches are generally seen as something evil in the Bible. This does not follow. In fact, the Bible judges riches to be desirable as a gift of God and a reward for piety and good works.

• "Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness."
  (Proverbs, 8.18)

• "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich." (Proverbs 10.22)

• "Strong men retain riches." (Proverbs 11.16)

• "By humility and fear of the Lord are riches, honour and life." (Proverbs 22.4)

• "Many become rich because they take trouble" (Sirach 11.18)

These Biblical quotations show no hostility towards riches as such. Even Jesus, in the much-quoted verse about the eye of a needle, does not attack wealth itself but above all the dangers of wealth. Both Old and New Testaments give warnings about these dangers in many places. A rich person has to bear much responsibility, is subject to greater temptations and therefore sins more easily.