Wouldn't God rather we spend any extra money we have on feeding the hungry, curing disease, etc.????
Yet many religious LEADERS lead jetsetting lives of greed and style. Huh.
2006-08-20 10:58:50 · 36 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A luxury car, a diamond ring...other status symbols...serve no physical purpose other than to present your status to others...which is a very evolutionary concept.
There is no NEED to drive a Lexus ...A Ford Escort will get you there just as easily...so why would God want you to spend those extra $$$ on your Pride as opposed to helping the less fortunate???
People seem to pick and choose whatever regligous teachings won't cause them to make any SACRIFICES. Does this honor God??
2006-08-20 12:50:51 · update #1
what does driving a luxury car have to do with feeding the hungry or curing disease? God gave us intelligence to cure disease, the hungry are hungry because of their Gods not ours. just how much of your extra money have you given to the poor? are you really interested in the hungry and sick or just jealous because you can earn enough to be a jet setter.
no i do not have a luxury cay, mine is a 95 ford escort, and i do not give my extra money to the fool who sit on a street corner begging for food because they are to lazy to work, but i do pray for the sick and god heals them.
2006-08-20 11:02:57 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 5⤊ 3⤋
I agree with you on this subject. I am a Christian (non-denominational) and I have always felt the same. Sure they should be paid and well taken care of because ministry is a lot of work, but it gets ridiculous.
Some preachers take it too far and I think that they should do more to give back instead of always asking. All preachers and Leaders are not like this, but sadly it's becoming a horrible trend. For preachers to own jets and mercedes and bentley's living in mansions in top neighborhoods while most of their congregation is trying to scrape up the 10 % that they feel they should be giving to be pleasing to God (it is in the Bible) but it is 10 % that is supposed to give back to the widow and the fatherless and the alien, not to make ther preacher rich and famous. Sorry such a long answer, but I feel very strongly on this subject. Peace & Blessings!
2006-08-20 11:09:08 · answer #2 · answered by caramel_angelkiss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought you said does god approve of "peaches"!!! I was going to say no, god does not approve of peaches, bananas, or other lusty fruits.
The Bible - the one source for Christians confusionism - can only be taken literally when it helps you otherwise you should ignore it. So if the Bible says - rule the land and animals - you should eat meet and hunt and rape the land of its resources. Now if the Bible says - be most excellent to one another - then just be nice to the people you meet on the street but don't worry if your shoes were made in a sweatshop. So if the Bible says - rich men can't get into heaven - it must have been a typo because I like being rich and so why would I share? Go get rich if that's what you want but stop bugging me.
2006-08-20 11:03:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think God has anything against money or people having a lot of it, but wastefulness or mismanagement of his gifts to us does matter in spiritual development. These preachers that drive luxury cars and other unnecessary things aren't really hurting themselves, their hurting those that picture them as their leaders in how to practice a upright belief in God. Ministers are suppose to be examples of what they preach, though we can't look at them as though they are infallible or incapable of human err. Materialism is a hard temptation to dodge sometimes, even for the best of us, but yet these people still can teach us a larger message. You see a preacher in a Benz who showcases how rich they are, you can teach another that all the worldly gains are for this world, none of that is doing anything for the soul nor will it go to the place that truly matters.
2006-08-20 11:21:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anthony L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're right to a degree. But also remember that God does reward those who do his service. Before judging a person by the car he drives, look at the work he's done, too.
Remember, God doesn't NEED our money. If he did, he'd just take it. He is God, after all. He DOES WANT our sacrificial giving as a sign of love. And that money is to be used for his ministry.
2006-08-20 11:05:40 · answer #5 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's okay if they slap a Jesus Fish bumper sticker on it.
One time, I was in a motel where there was a baptist minister convention going on. I was riding the escalator and these 2 men of God were deep in conversation about how God wanted them to be rewarded financially for their godly work and so it was okay that they had all this stuff. AAAARRRGGGGGG!! I stage muttered to my husband, I'll really be glad when all these Good Ol Baptist Boys clear outta here, I've about had it hearing their bullsh88. Well, when we got off the escalator, I could feel the righteous glaring I was getting and sure enough my husband verified that yes, they were glaring at the devil spawn woman who dared speak the truth.
2006-08-20 11:09:27 · answer #6 · answered by turtle girl 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God dispenses riches to whom He chooses, and those people are responsible before Him how they conduct themselves. Unfortunately, many "Christian" preachers have abused their status and brought shame to the name of God and Christianity. They will receive their share of spiritual reward from God who sees all and knows all. Read the parable of the Talents Matthew 24:14-30. Christians will be judged for their works for Jesus after salvation to receive a reward for their faithfulness. See also 2 Timothy 4:8
2006-08-20 11:12:20 · answer #7 · answered by tigranvp2001 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not worry about their material things, it really is the intention, if you know them personally, then try their spirit by the Holy Spirit! Besides, that is between them and Christ anyway. They may be good businessmen too. But if they are not right, Just let the Lord handle them. I am pretty sure you have enough things in your life, as we all do, to deal with everyday. Remember, Christ is your personal savior, if you allow Him. You do not assemble for the people with big cars or anything else. Its for your own salvation.
2006-08-20 11:13:19 · answer #8 · answered by sanoanna 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why shouldn't God approve? This question got me to thinking, why is it that in order for a person to be Spiritual, he is expected to dress in newspapers and eat morsels out of a garbage can?Unless llike in the cases of Nuns and Monks in the Catholic or Buddhist tradition, which they take the vow of powerty... other than that, why should it be wrong for preachers to have luxury cars etc etc God DID create the world for humanity to enjoy with him... if God can have it, why can't the devotees and the preachers?
2006-08-20 11:09:30 · answer #9 · answered by Kenz K 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, some do. On the other hand Jesus also said the poor will be with you always?
Didn't Jesus say to avoid looking like the hypocrites, for they have recieved their reward in full? When you pray go into your room and close the door- for your heavenly father knows what you need before you ask. When you fast, wash your face so that others do not know that you have done this, but your Heavenly Father will see you in heaven and reward you for it.
2006-08-20 11:04:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course not but don't take those who do it as an example for all Christians. It all depends on how humble the pastor is (he is a normal person after all). There's a pastor of a 8,000 member church by my house that is driving a '89 car and doesn't mind.
2006-08-20 11:05:22 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋