Money and God?

[Arrummzen]

I have been reading my Bible, and I have come across somethings that disturb me. For example Luke 6:24-25 ?But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.

What is this saying? Do I have to give up all of my money, and comforts? Can I keep enough to have a average standard of living? I do not live extravagantly, but I do have significantly more than the average person.

Were exactly is the line drawn between being well fed and starving oneself to death?

Thank you for your time,
Arrummzen

[Christ's Minister]

I'm glad that through your own Bible study you have now learned an important aspect of Jesus' teachings which is very seldom talked about in churches because it's not politically correct in a capitalistic society.Capitalism is an anti- Christian concept.Jesus taught His disciples and they in turn required all the first Christians to share their income with each other.Until you understand Jesus' teachings on wealth, you will not be aware of the hypocrisy that exists in many churches.It's a good thing that some ministers put the American flag next to their pulpit to warn people that they are receiving a political gospel in their churches.Jesus' feelings about the wealthy is contained in His words."IT IS AS HARD FOR A RICH MAN TO ENTER HEAVEN AS IT IS FOR A CAMEL TO GO THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE."The good news for people who don't go to political churches is that none of the presidential candidates will be able to bring their deceit,ego and false pride into heaven.

The only specific requirement in the Bible concerning donations is that we must give an absolute minimum of ten percent of our income to charity.However considering:A.Jesus has contempt for most wealthy persons because of their greed,B.Almost all of those who live in the United States have more money than 96 percent of the world's population,and C.Since the Second Coming will occur very soon; you should start to engage in sacrifical giving.

[Arrummzen]

I think that God will punish those who oppress the poor, and horde money for their own selfish indulgence. But if I keep some money in storage to provide for my future family will that put me in that group?

I also wonder ? Why do you say that the Second Coming will occur very soon? I do not doubt that it will occur, nor do I deny that it could happen in the next second, or hour or day, or week etc. But we have no way of knowing, do we? In the absence of this knowledge shouldn't we make sure that we take steps to ensure our survival? For example, not knowing if the Second Coming will occur before the winter, wouldn't it be wise to store grain for the winter (So if the Second Coming does not occur before winter we will not starve)?

I will pray about this, in hopes that God will tell me exactly what to do with my money.

Thank you for your time,
Arrummzen

[Endure2]

the bible says a man who does not take care of his family is worse than an infidel, and Jesus and malachi taught that we must give a tithe.
you dont have to give all your money to the church, Jesus didnt ask for all your money he asked for 10 percent, and then an offering that was up to you.
doesnt have the be the other 90.

no it isnt wrong to watch after your family or save for your family you must do that, the bible says in ecclesiastes that it is good for a man for eat and drink of his wealth and enjoy the goodness of it.
it isnt wrong to use your money to have a nice car or a nice home or nice clothes for your family. the bible says all through proverbs there is wealth in the house of the righteous wise man period, it isnt evil in Gods eyes to be wealthy. just to love money more than God.
the bible talks about wives having goodly homes, it isnt wrong to have a good home. and that takes money.
the bible says in deut 28 that God gives us the power to get wealth.
job was a wealthy man, he went through seasons with the Lord, but he was a wealthy man.
paul said he knew how to go without, but he also knew how to abound.

yes the bible does say to give, but it says God will give back to you when you do in larger portion than you gave, either way God wants you to have money.
money isnt only the way of the cruel oppressor.

money gives you control of your life.
money gives you options.
money gives you the ability to make a positive influence in society.

those arent evil things.
you give a 10th to the church and an offering.
i feel like it should be less than the 10th, or Jesus would have asked for more than a 10th as the requirement.

the church isnt broke and starving becuase the milllionares havent give all their money to the church... its broke becuase statiscly only about 4% of the body of christ believes in tithing.
it wont be a few rich individuals getting judged in heavon.

[TheListener]

Please, a general warning to all new Christians: You will be pounced on by cults (mild/moderate or extreme) and by those who want to false teach to make up for their own insecurities founded by their cult or for direct gain. If its not in the Bible, question it and scrutinise it and watch them fall.

[newestwed]

This is an issue that I stuggle with. I like to own things. And I think that is what Jesus is talking about. Everyone wants to own things. What we need to realize is that the stuff we own in the world isn't really ours. God has given everything to us. And of course God can take it away.

:preach: I think once we decide that what we love in this world is how much God loves us and how he wants to see us in heaven next to him, we are okay. We just have to be careful that what we love and worship is God and not money or our stuff.

[TheListener]

Your heart lies where your treasures are. If you idolise things (cars, boats, money) (idolise meaning putting it before God) then you are disobeying God's Will. When you don't idolise, you feel the grace, and in return you feel the willingness to help. And when you do help, what you can, THAT is the fine line, IMHO.

[Endure2]

Jesus.

[rogsr]

Hello,

Simply put, in those two scriptures Jesus is warning us against greed.

If a person has more money than they need and they don't give to someone who has none then that person will, in fact, have some explaining to do.

Jesus was a powerhouse of a teacher because He taught simple concepts that everyone could understand and that would do the most good. In other words, you don't have to look that deep to find the meaning of what Jesus is teaching, and that is sometimes peoples biggest downfall in trying to understand Jesus Christ. Always remember that Jesus came to teach everyone, the Philosopher and the illiterate alike. Praise be to the Lord God!

-Peace-

[keirasmommy]

There are ways to enjoy what we own and still give it to God. For example, if we own a house that is too big for our family, then we could use the extra space to billet bible college students or allow someone to host a bible study in your home. If you have a large peice of property you could offer it to the youth group to have a campout. If you own a large truck, you could offer it to help people who are moving. Do you have a large screen TV, how about a movie night for the Sunday School kids?
Do you own a fancy sports car? Why not offer to drive some kids to prom? It would mean so much to them. Perhaps you like to eat out at really nice restaurants, why not invite someone who couldn't afford it to join you for supper on Sunday night?
If you are considering buying a new car and you really don't need the trade-in on your old one, consider giving it to someone who has no means of transportation.
If you own a lot of jewlery and clothing, why not clean out your closet on a regular basis and give to your local salvation army or free store. If you're buying tickets to an event why not purchase a couple extra and give them to someone who can't afford to go. If you receive a gift you don't like, don't return it, give it to someone who might like it.

It's not likely God will take away what you are using for his will and in his name.

Think of ways that you're material belongings can be used to profit God and do this as you go about your day. You may see that you've been holding back more than you should.

The video game system that you havn't used since you bought an XBOX could be the best gift for Joe and Jane's eight year old son. Or maybe you don't plan on using that buy-one-get-one-free ski pass coupon this year but you know that the family down the street is going to be buying ski passes for the whole family for Christmas. Still got a bag of Halloween candy sitting in your cupboard? Why not donate it to the Pioneer Club at your church. They give out small prizes to kids at every meeting. What about that old furniture you're storing in your basement? Why not offer it to that young couple who are about to get married?

[Endure2]

the thing is theres this great assumption that if your house looks nice or if your car looks nice and either of them are big, then you didnt give enough away...
though this is usually assumed by people who dont have either and are just mad.

the bible says i can be blessed, and im supposed to bless other people, but its not selfish to remember that im supposed to be blessed too, and what is blessing if i have to live off bare neccesities and give the rest away? does that sound like being blessed to anyone?
call me selfish and self centered, but whats the point of favor and blessing and goodness and table prepared before me if it isnt "for me".

and i understand that its not all about me, but when you say its not about me at all, thats not biblical either.

[Arrummzen]

I thank you all for your time and your answers. You have cleared the matter up a for me.

May God bless you all.

Thank you for your time,
Arrummzen

[BlackPanther]

I do not think it is wrong to own things. As long as you share with others. If you horde it all...that is wrong. But there is nothing wrong with having money UNLESS you hold it as more important than GOD or you keep it to yourself.

[twistedsketch]

There's a seminar called Good Sense, put out by the Willow Creek Press, I believe. It gets into what the Bible says about money and possessions, greed, debt, and budgeting.

Capitalism is an anti- Christian concept.Jesus taught His disciples and they in turn required all the first Christians to share their income with each other.
He taught generosity, for sure. But He never taught against capitalism. He was a carpenter by trade until God called Him into ministry at about age 30.

Also, Paul taught "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10). There's being generous, and then there's feeding someone's sinful habits.


A.Jesus has contempt for most wealthy persons because of their greed,
But not because of their wealth, remember. Hundreds of years before this, there was a man named Job . . .


B.Almost all of those who live in the United States have more money than 96 percent of the world's population,and C.Since the Second Coming will occur very soon; you should start to engage in sacrifical giving.[/b]
I agree here. For me, a college student, a tithe is sacrificial, especially when I think about the computer I'm saving up for.

[Endure2]

i have to second that.

capitalism an unchristian concept?
i simply have to disagree,
alot of other things may not be Christian but capitalism is simply
an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

the only option other option we have is socialism, and the communists tried that and we all know what happened there. it sounds real nice and fair and loving, but no its not. God helps those who help themselves.
i dont want the state regulating my allowence.

the bible is pretty clear, lasy people perish and go into poverty and destruction finds them unaware, the prudent and hardworking mans house is full and secure, theres nothing unchristian about capitalism.
no God doesnt agree with hording it all to yourself, we need to give, but socialism is clearly not from God. the bible clearly agrees with capitalism. alot of things are wrong i agree, but not capitalism.

Jesus has contempt for most wealthy persons becuase of their greed?
well that couldnt possibly be a fact ever becuase its completely based upon the assumption that only greedy people are wealthy, or even most wealthy people are greedy.... no.
thats absurd... but no i guess the only other option you have is giving your wealthy away and therefor making other someone else wealthy and now God has more people who he feels contempt for... do you think if all the money in the world was spread evenly there would be no wealthy people or something?
whats the point, wealth isnt the enemy.

i mean shoot, i guess the idea is to not give anyone anything, keep em in poverty becuase we dont want to God to feel contempt toward them.
the bible, the holy book, the inspired word of God, said there is wealth and riches in the righteous wise prudent mans homes.... not greedy.
but i guess being poor these days makes you a man of God.
take the preacher with the Less money right?
its almost getting like bragging rights, look at me im more holy than you cus i dont have a big car or a nice home!
its a scheme for lazy people to feel special and superior inspite of there slothfullness.

a life of luxery doesnt make you a weak pansy Christian, it makes it tougher, its harder for a rich man to enter in to heavon than a poor man.
a righteous man of Gods wealth is only evidence to say he must be the real thing, becuase he deals with alot more temptations to do evil than other people do.


God always has and always will bless the faithful and men of God.
HE will never allow the righteous to be moved, it didnt say LEE would never allow it.
yeah i do make more money than alot of people in 3rd world countries and stuff and so do you if you have access this internet site and your giving hasnt changed that, but it takes all the money ive got to live where im living too, it doesnt make me a greedy person.
its economics man.

Godbless
Lee Myers.

[BlackPanther]

There are ways to enjoy what we own and still give it to God. For example, if we own a house that is too big for our family, then we could use the extra space to billet bible college students or allow someone to host a bible study in your home. If you have a large peice of property you could offer it to the youth group to have a campout. If you own a large truck, you could offer it to help people who are moving. Do you have a large screen TV, how about a movie night for the Sunday School kids?
Do you own a fancy sports car? Why not offer to drive some kids to prom? It would mean so much to them. Perhaps you like to eat out at really nice restaurants, why not invite someone who couldn't afford it to join you for supper on Sunday night?
If you are considering buying a new car and you really don't need the trade-in on your old one, consider giving it to someone who has no means of transportation.
If you own a lot of jewlery and clothing, why not clean out your closet on a regular basis and give to your local salvation army or free store. If you're buying tickets to an event why not purchase a couple extra and give them to someone who can't afford to go. If you receive a gift you don't like, don't return it, give it to someone who might like it.

It's not likely God will take away what you are using for his will and in his name.

Think of ways that you're material belongings can be used to profit God and do this as you go about your day. You may see that you've been holding back more than you should.

The video game system that you havn't used since you bought an XBOX could be the best gift for Joe and Jane's eight year old son. Or maybe you don't plan on using that buy-one-get-one-free ski pass coupon this year but you know that the family down the street is going to be buying ski passes for the whole family for Christmas. Still got a bag of Halloween candy sitting in your cupboard? Why not donate it to the Pioneer Club at your church. They give out small prizes to kids at every meeting. What about that old furniture you're storing in your basement? Why not offer it to that young couple who are about to get married?
Wow. Great ideas! :amen:

[NitrousInfected]

The only specific requirement in the Bible concerning donations is that we must give an absolute minimum of ten percent of our income to charity.However considering:A.Jesus has contempt for most wealthy persons because of their greed,B.Almost all of those who live in the United States have more money than 96 percent of the world's population,and C.Since the Second Coming will occur very soon; you should start to engage in sacrifical giving.
The minimum of 10% is supposed to be given to the storehouse (church) not too charity. Charitable giving is called offerings.
Just so I can look it up, where in the Bible does it say that Jesus had contempt for someone?
The United States have been very blessed, once upon a time it was One nation UNDER GOD!
I dont feel that God will punish you if you make too much money or have too many things. As long as you do not cheat God , and you give him the first tenth, and praise him for the blessings that you have in your life, knowing that it all comes from him. I fail to see the problem with "wealth or comfort" Greed is most definitely a sin and a stumbling block, but just because a person has more than some, doesnt make them greedy.
I praise God daily for the gifts in my life, and I thoroughly enjoy the blessings that he has bestowed on me.
If I am wrong in this please enlighten me. I just dont believe that God's plan is for us to all be poor and hungry.

[God_follower]

tithing is important, its a seed then later you harvest something... so do it :P

about money... God wants to bless His children, we must be humble and give God the glory, cuz when i have millions, then I will definitly have to be humble because i wouldnt have gotten there without God. :)

[vinc]

I deeply appreciate the replies of newestwed and keirasmommy. I also appreciate a few opinions of Endure2.

I would like to add a quote of a saintly Man of God who said "There are True Christians both in palaces as well as huts."

And as far as tithing goes, it is an Old Testament law from God. In the New Testament we are not under law but under grace and i believe that "God loves a cheerful giver". Therefore give as per what "you have purposed in your heart" to give (not expecting a reward/recognition from humans) and God will reward you in double measure either materially or spiritually in future. The amount could be 10%, 20%, 30%....or even 100%. It is totally between you and God.

We must seek the Lord's suggestion sincerely regarding how we should use the money which He has given us. He may want us to grow it, spend it, donate it or to just keep it for a period of time. We may make some mistakes in discerning His suggestions, but we should not be discouraged as God is all-knowing and merciful.

Final Note : A matured christian, whether rich or poor, knows how to use his God-given money wisely as per the will of God.

Just my opinion. Hope it helps in anyway.

Lord Bless You and Yours
Vincent :)

[Endure2]

sorry.

[vinc]

I might have wrongly assessed your reply Bro.Endure2. Everything i reply need not be right... Isn't it?

[Endure2]

uhm im sorry i dont understand what you mean by that.

and im sorry, im not sure my reply was appropriate now anyway.
scratch that.
i just never did like those people who felt all i deserved where one of those lousy
"Good try prises" like saying "hey good try, but your not really all that smart, better luck next time when your as smart as i am :) "
like its this false patronising sort of thing.