Does Christ talk about amassing personal wealth for personal benefit in the Bible, or does he teach against it?
2006-08-02 03:46:12 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
LOL, thank you for pointing that out.
How foolish is it for a Christian to be bothering him/herself about amassing personal wealth, anyhow...seeing as how we know this world is temporary?
As Jesus said...shouldn't we be more worried about our accounts in Heaven?
Or are our hearts in our wallets??
2006-08-02 03:51:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it matters, since Jesus was an ancient, prescientific mystic who probably wouldn't have understood modern economic theory. Government and society should operate according to the whims of someone who wouldn't have understood the theory and practice of economics.
Of course, I'm free to say this because I don't worship the guy.
Edit: I don't think it's fair to say that capitalists don't care about anything other than personal wealth. There's no reason to believe that other than prejudicial ideology. Most people in most modern democracies are some degree of capitalist, including many philanthropists and people who run and donate to charities. Personally, I am a capitalist (not of the Ayn Rand variety, though), yet I donate money and time to help others, and I even work in a field that pays me less than I'd get if I did other work. There is more to life than money--but that doesn't have any bearing on whether or not I think capitalism generally works (fairly well).
2006-08-02 10:53:11 · answer #2 · answered by Minh 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was against it. Of course he believed that the world would come to a complete end within the lifetime of his disciples. There was no need for anyone to amass wealth.
2006-08-02 10:52:10 · answer #3 · answered by ChooseRealityPLEASE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The story of the "Rich Young Ruler" pretty well shows His attitude toward that kind of thing, as does His parable of the Rich Fool. There are a number of other references.
However, Christianity, being spiritual, does not generally support any earthly economic system. The kingdom of heaven is able to operate in all of them.
2006-08-02 11:04:58 · answer #4 · answered by freelancenut 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He teaches against it, as in the parable of the rich man who hoarded things and died. He himself had "no place to lay his head", trusting instead that he would be provided with everything he needed--as in the parable of the lilies and sparrows, who are also provided with everything they need.
The idea in Jesus' teachings is that material things divert your attention from spiritual things, making you a slave to them and making you choose comfort over truth.
2006-08-02 10:52:32 · answer #5 · answered by Baxter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell that to Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson and preachers of their ilk
2006-08-02 10:58:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Didn't he say something about camels and eyes of needles?
Capitalists don't care about anyone or anything but their profits, so they'll keep at it, regardless of who said what.
2006-08-02 10:51:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋