In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18), Jesus makes a startling statement that has challenged believers for two millennia: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Whenever we read this, the immediate temptation is to define “rich” in a way that excludes us. Does being rich mean owning three yachts? Or does owning a modest home qualify?
When we look deeper at Jesus’s teachings, wealth isn’t just about a net-worth threshold—it’s about relational excess and stewardship. To be rich in a world where your neighbor lacks basic needs means holding onto surplus while others go without.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
Jesus explicitly linked our spiritual health to how we care for others. When asked about the greatest commandments, He summarized the whole law into two:
- Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
Crucially, Jesus radicalized the definition of “neighbor.” In the parable of the Good Samaritan, He made it clear that your neighbor isn’t just the person living next door or someone who looks like you, it is the stranger, the outsider, and anyone in need. Holding excess wealth while ignoring the plight of our broader neighborhood directly undermines this call to love.
The Trap of Institutional Wealth
Over centuries, religious organizations gradually assumed the role of social safety nets. While many set out with noble intentions, a recurring historical pattern emerged: as organizations gather wealth, institutional survival often eclipses original mission.
We saw this in ancient Rome and throughout church history. Wealth brings power, administrative bloat, and eventually, corruption. The focus subtly shifts from serving the community to funding the infrastructure needed to maintain the institution itself. Money, as the scripture cautions, becomes a root of all kinds of entanglements.
Why We Choose a Different Path
At societyoffriends.org, our mission is simple: to help communities by helping people rediscover their faith and build genuine, supportive relationships.
As our community grew, people naturally began asking, “How can we donate?”
Our answer remains intentional: We do not accept financial donations.
Instead, we look to the example of the Apostle Paul, who worked as a tentmaker to support his ministry so as not to be a burden or be compromised by financial gain. While we understand why other churches and charities raise funds for buildings, salaries, and programs, we recognize the inherent risk that money introduces.
We want your time, your presence, and your hands—not your money.
By remaining entirely volunteer-driven, we remove the temptation of financial gain and protect our core mission. We want to ensure that our standard of followership remains grounded in the simple, selfless example Jesus set.
True community isn’t built on balance sheets—it is built on people showing up for one another.