Respecting the Rich, Then and Now

I noted some time ago that the correct interpretation of a certain well-known passage from the Bible seems to me to be not that it is particularly difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, but that it is difficult even for the rich. Hence the astonished: "Who then can be saved?" This appears to imply that the rich were held in high esteem among the disciples (also in a spiritual sense), and at no point does Jesus oppose this view.

Here is another historical remark on the general perception of the wealthy, this time more unambiguous in its conclusions:

"It is sufficient for the present purpose to observe in general, that power and riches commonly cause respect, poverty and meanness contempt, though particular views and incidents may sometimes raise the passions of envy and of pity."
- David Hume, "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals"

I would risk saying that a more accurate claim would be: "It is sufficient for the present purpose to observe in general, that power and riches commonly cause envy, poverty and meanness pity, though particular views and incidents may sometimes raise the passions of respect and of contempt." Was Hume mistaken in his observation, or is it possible that it is only since the mid to late 19th century that the world has been infected with the Marxist virus of unqualified, envious hatred towards the prosperous and successful? Or, on a hopeful note, perhaps reality is not quite as bleak as I see it in this regard?