Christians, shall we try an experiment?

Question

Jesus told his followers to sell everything they have and give it to the poor, then let God provide for them....

Why don't some of you try that and report back after a year so we can see the glorious bounty of God?

Volenteers?

I've gone back and looked at the specific verses i've referenced in this question due to some rebuttals.

What i have read seems to apply to any follower. The man was rich indeed, however he claimed that he had kept to gods commandments from youth. How is it nessecary then for him to have to sell all of his possesions to enter heaven?

Answer 1

Actually, he just told one really rich guy to do that, because the guy was depending on his wealth for his salvation.

Answer 2

Well, Jesus didn't tell all of his disciples to do that, just the rich young man. Jesus knew that material things were holding the man back from fully serving God. So we have to do the same principle: Give up whatever distraction that is keeping us from serving God to the best of our ability. I am living my life according to those words to my best ability. I voluntarily preach the good news of God's Kingdom 50 hours a month as one of Jehovah's Witnesses as Jesus commanded (Matthew 20:19-20), without gaining anything material in return but God's favor and approval. I read the Bible and other Bible related materials every day, and I meditate on them and try to apply them to my life and also how I can help others. I'm constantly thinking about, talking about or doing something related to God and His purposes. I'm not trying to brag, but Jesus did say that Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, (Matthew 5:3) and I am, and I'm HAPPY! :)

Answer 3

Cheat Notes:

Dedicate your life and your possessions to helping the poor and/or to serving GOD. You know what GOD wants. You know GOD wants to give mercy to the needy..... let him work through you.

If you have a large house, let poor people live there with you until they can get on their feet. If you have a car, use it from time to time to transport old people that can no longer drive themselves. If you can spare food for the hungry, do so. If you have a medical skill, volunteer to use it (for free if necessary) to help those that need medical attention but can't afford it. If you have any spare time go out and be friends with someone that needs one. If you are intelligent, share your knowledge with those that have none..... There is more to tithing than giving 10% of your earnings.

Remember: if everything you own is dedicated to carrying out GOD's will, then it isn't yours anymore.... it's GODS. And, if it is dedicated to helping the poor, then in a way, they have a partial ownership to it. If more people performed these practices, the World, I assure you, would be a much better place.

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Answer 4

You must be referring to Matt.19:21. The first responder was correct, it was not a command towards His followers, but to this one man. A man who sought the kingdom on his terms, by works, hence the question "What must I do..." Christians know that there is nothing we can do in ourselves to achieve the kingdom, it is all by grace. This analysis of the reaction of the rich, young ruler is very insightful.

[1.] He was a rich man, and loved his riches, and therefore went away. He did not like eternal life upon these terms. Note, First, Those who have much in the world are in the greatest temptation to love it, and to set their hearts upon it. Such is the bewitching nature of worldly wealth, that those who want it least desire most; when riches increase, then is the danger of setting the heart upon them, Psa_62:10. If he had had but two mites in all the world, and had been commanded to give them to the poor, or but one handful of meal in the barrel, and a little oil in the cruse, and had been bidden to make a cake of that for a poor prophet, the trial, one would think, had been much greater, yet those trials have been overcome (Luk_21:4, and 1Ki_17:14); which shows that the love of the world draws stronger than the most pressing necessities. Secondly, The reigning love of this world keeps many from Christ, who seem to have some good desires toward him. A great estate, as to those who are got above it, is a great furtherance, so to those who are entangled in the love of it, it is a great hindrance, in the way to heaven.
Yet something of honesty there was in it, that, when he did not like the terms, he went away, and would not pretend to that, which he could not find in his heart to come up to the strictness of; better so than do as Demas did, who, having known the way of righteousness, afterward turned aside, out of love to this present world, to the greater scandal of his profession; since he could not be a complete Christian, he would not be a hypocrite.
[2.] Yet he was a thinking man, and well-inclined, and therefore went away sorrowful. He had a leaning toward Christ, and was loth to part with him. Note, Many a one is ruined by the sin he commits with reluctance; leaves Christ sorrowfully, and yet is never truly sorry for leaving him, for, if he were, he would return to him. Thus this man's wealth was vexation of spirit to him, then when it was his temptation. What then would the sorrow be afterward, when his possessions would be gone, and all hopes of eternal life gone too?

Answer 5

He told this to "one" follower, not all followers. It was a very wealthy man and Jesus used this to test his heart. The man was very sorrowful when Jesus told him this because he didn't want to let go of what he had. That being said, if I felt like that was God's plan for me I would do it. There have times I had only God to rely on and He always provides.

Answer 6

Actually, you're misquoting scripture. Here's the scripture you're talking about...

Luke 18: 15-25...

18. And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
21. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25. For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Now, who was Jesus talking to here? He was talking to a rich man who Jesus discerned was more attached to his wealth than his relationship with God.

What are you more attached to than a relationship with God? I would guess that it would be freedom from consequences to your sin? If you don't believe in God, then your sin really doesn't matter does it. On the other hand, if you believe in God, then you have to face up to the fact that he created you, made the rules and you're breaking his rules so you'll have to suffer the consequences.

I would basically paraphrase this piece of scripture this way....

"If there is anything in your life that you wouldn't want to get rid of for God, then that things is actually your God".

Christians need to hold loosely to material things.

I sure hope you see the light one day and accept that Jesus is the only way! Good luck to ya.

Answer 7

How about reading the bible before pulling out one Scripture to try to make a statement. The rich man in the story because of his wealth turned down being the thirtieth disciple of Jesus.

Answer 8

There are already hundreds of thousands of said "volunteers" spanning the globe. They are referred to by respectful individuals as priests, nuns and monks.

To address the substance of your question, Christ's comment on this subject was not meant as a command to abandon the world and the desire for material things, but as a reminder that charity is at the cornerstone of godly living, and that those who seek the kingdom of God should be careful not to become enthralled by the materialism of this life.

Answer 9

Jesus told the rich guy that as a test to see how much the guy really loved Him. The guy was bragging that he had kept all the commandments since birth. Several have tried this, but I don't think it is required of us.

Answer 10

Didn't Jesus direct that to a rich man who was reluctant to do so? The rich man knew the law of Moses, but yet he was not willing to give up everything and follow Jesus. I don't think Jesus tells us to do that - but answer this question for yourself: What aren't you willing to give up to follow Christ whole heartedly?

Answer 11

Actually, there are quite a few out there already living that life! Not surprisingly, they probably won't be reading this online, so I'll answer for them.

The Catholic Worker movement has been uniting and supporting like-minded people in that very endeavor for generations now: