Matthew 5:42, why don't Christians walk their talk? If He said it do it.?

Question

Jesus wanted us to not be attached to our possessions and money but have faith in God as our source. So why do churches and christians not live their beliefs?

Answer 1

People have freedom of will and don't always walk right. Christians still have their old nature, old habits, old ways. We all have the opportunity to live how God asks us to - we have to make the decision. Give and it shall be given unto you...that is the truth. But it goes against what seems logical. How could you get more when you give? But that is how God works.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Answer 2

God does not want us to put our possessions or anything before Him in our hearts. That doesn't mean we aren't supposed to have possessions. Not all Christians are called to leave everything and preach the Word. Not all are given the gift. Yet, we are all commanded to share the Good News. Christians make up the body of Christ. This means we are all members of God's church each with our appointed abilities and tasks.
I agree with you, however, some churches and preachers are so splendid (blinged out/decked out) that the message gets confused. I think these folks look to the Biblical figures like Abraham who were given great wealth by God. All I can do is try to live a life pleasing to God. My relationship w/ Christ is a direct relationship. I don't need a mediator, Jesus Christ is the only mediator for us.
http://www.chick.com/information/general/salvation.asp

Answer 3

In Matthew 5:42, Jesus is saying to give to those who ask of you, do not turn away from them. So I have no idea what you're referring to. The Christians I know are very giving. I can't speak for other churches, but the church I go to gives to many different needs.

Answer 4

First of all, how do you know that all don't, and second have you met all Christians? I agree that there are those who don't, and that is a personal problem, and a spiritual problem. Some of this is due to erroneous teachings of who they listen to and follow. Others it is that they have not fully accepted God's role in their life as God and as director choreographer, healer, helper, finisher and producer of that walk that God has called them into - but the bottom line who made you judge. Do you follow strictly your own "belief system" as well as you say Christians should follow theirs. This is not to excuse you, or them.

Personally I walk the talk and do the walk, but that is my personal lifestyle and I have seen Christians who are godly examples of Christ and history records more.

Sadly I wished more did, hopefully more will, but if they don't, doesn't excuse me or you from not following the truth that is laid out in God's Holy Word.

Answer 5

First of all in this world they would have to have money to eat and stay somewhere because no one is going to let them stay at their house nor eat at their tables. No one trusts people who wander like that. Back then it was a common thing. You didn't lock your doors back then either but in almost everywhere today you do. If you don't you might not wake up in the morning. Christians are supposed to open their door to anyone that knocks and asks to come in but in todays world you can't just do that if you want to live. Would you do that now days? Do you let just anyone into your house? I am not a Christian but I do see where they are coming from on this end.

Answer 6

Most Christians are false saints. They want to make themselves look good by going to church each Sunday, and maybe on the weekdays too. Granted, there are some TRUE followers of God's Word, but the majority of people who claim to be a true Christian are putting on a show. They think that it doesn't matter if they don't walk the talk because in the end they're "devoted" to the Lord, and they listen to His word every Sunday.. They're the type of people who will ask for the Lord's forgiveness, but continue to sin the same thing and repeat the same lines to God. They talk about all the great things they do, and they certainly do know how to talk behind other's backs and put them down. But who are THEY to judge? Talk about double standard. People who do sincerely respect Jesus Christ and God don't have to "talk". They prove themselves to us by just doing the "walking" rather than all the "talking". When a true follower of God sins, he/she asks for the Lord's forgiveness, learns it as a lesson, and never repeats the same mistake again.

Answer 7

Many do, but the majority are challenged in these areas because of one word...SIN. We are of flesh. Yes Christians preach the Word, but many are challenged with walking IN the Word. It is a challenged, because our society today demands so much out of people to rely on thier gut feelings...thier emotions; and to repsond and react rather than think before anything else. We are not a prefect race, we are not perfect people. Only one person was perfect...and God knows all this. And since He knows it, He knows our hearts. He knows who is truly repentant and who is just spouting off words for self-glorification. Who is truly giving and who is just out for a few bucks extra themselves. He knows the truth, whether or not the rest of us believe eachother or not. He knows.

And He also knows where we are challenged...giving. Sinful natures as humans are very selfish people. Hence why He stated in Matt 5:42 for us to be givers; and the only way to recieve is to give. And most Christians focus primarily on the "recieving" part rather than the "giving." They only see that thier gifts will get them something for them...but not all Christians are this way. Don't take the majority and make the decision ALL Christians are this way. Don't be mislead by the fools who fool themselves. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in this area, let Him guide your discernment...rather than trying to figure all this out on your own. Don't try to be perfect, just work to be good. Focus on what is right, and when we fall...pick ourselves back up, dust off, repent and move on. That is a Christian walk...it is not flawless. Not hardly!

Answer 8

Living the Gospel is difficult. We have short comings. This verse is particularly hard in our culture. The ideal would be for all we have to be consecrated to God and shared in common like the primitive church. Since that isn't something we are ready for, we will have to do the best we can by being charitable.

Answer 9

The main part of Christ's appeal was that he preached to the poor and said they had value...basically that the afterlife was theirs and the rich will be punished.

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inheiret the earth"
"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven"

So in sayin that you should not have possessions to an audience of poor peasants is a no-brainer.

Answer 10

We accepted Christ as our Savior. That doesn't magically mean we suddenly became sinless. We still are hypocrytical, we still sin. Our heart is to tell people about Jesus though because we know that we can rely on the fact that He died for us and desire others to share the same peace. I know just as many other faiths that don't follow all their codes as well.