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Comment by sn41 | Hacker News Reader

Please do not use the quote from the Bible in an inappropriate context.

Matthew 13:11 is

He replied, "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

The context makes it clear that 13:12 is talking about spiritual possessions/riches, and not an endorsement of the 1 percent. Camel, eye of the needle, not serving God and mammon etc. all deal with this.

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Luke 19:26 repeats the line but within the context of money. It certainly isn't an "endorsement of the 1 percent", but more a statement of truth observed in virtually every human domain.

I do agree. But ever since Malcom Gladwell popularised the "Matthew effect", I am sad that an-out-of context quote is used to justify the promotion of deliberate cold-blooded apathy towards inequality. Whereas it is very clear in other contexts that the New Testament discourages accumulation of wealth. (Disclaimer: I am not a Christian, but read the Bible and other scriptures regularly).

I don't understand how you got "endorsement of the 1 percent" from "general principal".

Think of it another way. Imagine two people with Tom Brady's talent: one ends with mansions in Southern California and multiple superbowl titles, the other ends up unemployed in Arkansas.

People can use quotes from any book in any context they wish.

The Church has always said that the same Bible verse can have multiple true, correct meanings, as long as they don't contradict one another.

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