Skeptics often cite Jesus' command to the rich young ruler to "Sell all you have and distribute the proceeds to the poor" as evidence that he endorsed wealth redistribution or exorbitant taxes.

However, wealth was a grave hindrance to his [the rich young ruler's] entry into the Kingdom. Jesus did not give such advice to other wealthy persons -- Zacchaeus, Nicodemus, or even Mary Magdalene. Not all have problems with the temptation wealth causes. It is as Jesus said: if your right eye or right hand keeps you from going to heaven, pluck it out. Some people take that advice to the young man as though it were universal and not to one person, just as they mistakenly think he literally meant to pluck an eye out.

An objection places Galatians 6:5 against Matthew 19:21, where Jesus tells the rich young ruler to sell all he has and give to the poor. However, the Greek word for 'burden' in Galatians 6:5 is phortion, which refers to a normal load to be carried, not an excessive burden. It is an error to suggest that the burden of the poor in this context relates to the concept of a phortion.

Expanded from 1 Tim. 6:17–18.:
Problem:Jesus urged the rich young ruler to “sell what you have and give to the poor” (Matt. 19:21). The early disciples sold their possessions and laid the money at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:34–35). And Paul warned that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6:10). However, God blessed Abraham and Job with riches, and Paul does not instruct the rich to give away all they have, but to use and “richly enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17–18).

Solution:It should be observed, first of all, that Jesus’ instruction to “sell what you have and give to the poor” (Matt. 19:21) was to a rich young man who had made money his god, not to those who have not. There is nothing wrong withpossessing riches—there is something wrong withbeing possessed by riches.

Further, there is no indication that the early disciples in Acts were either urged to sell all, or that they actually did. The land sold (Acts 4:34–35) may have been extra property. It is noteworthy that it does not say they sold their homes (see discussion onActs 2:44–45). Finally, Paul does not say that money is evil, but only that theloveof money is the root of all kinds of evil. Seeking riches for their own sake is wrong, but seeking to have something to share with others in need is not. Thus, while God “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17), in the same breath He warns, “not ... to trust in uncertain riches.”