Why won't Christians believe that in order to get to heaven they have to sell everything they own?

Question

and give the money to the poor?

It's there in black and white. It is not optional. It is in three gospels:

Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.

Mar 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Luk 18:22 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.

Answer 1

yep. if we need something God will provide for us what we need. no need in having all the toys and trinkets. It's also meaning that you live a humble life not that you can't own anything and have to force yourself to live in a shack. It's saying if you have more than enough money to live on, share the wealth. Not to mention most of the people back then followed Jesus like the disciples so it was better to only have the clothes on your back.

Answer 2

these passages are asking the person to be perfect - matthew even says it blatently "...if thou wilt be perfect...". god does not expect us to be perfect, but to try our best. some christians do give up everything - mother teresa for example, but they are few and far between. people were made in god's image and then given free will - god does not expect us to be perfect. does that make sense? there are a lot of things in the christian religion that are kinda dumb, but this is one where it seems to me a little more information will explain the reasoning behind it.
i'm not trying to be preachy - i mean seriously, i don't even practice anymore, but i still don't like it when people only choose certain passages to further their viewpoint. remember, you can take select passages and make the bible say anything you want it to. take it as a whole and get the true message.
i mean it has been used to support muder, rape, and plundering in the inquisition and the crusades.

Answer 3

Because it's also there in black and white that Salvation is by grace through faith. Salvation is a gift of God's grace which means it is unearned, unsolicited, unmerited, undeserved favor from God.

Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

The Scritures also declare that Salvation is "worked out" and "kept" - but not "earned" as you seemingly propose.

2 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Salvation is, as this verse declares, "not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace".

Additionally, the question of Salvation, works and grace was brought up in the first century and dealt with by the Apostles in the following manner:

Acts 15:1-12 Context (vs11) But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

In the verses you share to promote the "sell everything and give to the poor" doctrine of Salvation, not ONCE is Salvation mentioned.

Treasure in heaven, yes, Salvation, no. I submit that they are not the same. If Jesus had meant to say Salvation, He would have used the word Salvation in those verses.

Answer 4

if you remember the story in the bible, the wealthy man who asked Yeshua Messiah this question went away sad, not able to do it either - because people are slaves to the material world, not realizing this is all a complete test of the spiritual world.
But also note that like anything, there are degrees of service, and this degree of Faith and service was for the True Disciple.

Answer 5

Actually in the lost gospels of the Dead Sea Scrolls these passages were summarized and made a lot more specific.

Apparently to get into "heaven", you must donate all your worldly wealth to a sentient hamster... If you don't personally know any, I can provide you with my Swiss bank account number...

Answer 6

Now that's just the stupidest thing I have ever heard, sell everything you own. This is why I gave up religion in 1st grade because the people in charge are insane. The bible says alot of crap that contradicts itself. You can find scripture to support any cause you want.

Answer 7

Have you heard about six blind men and an elephant?
One day six blind men who never seen before an elephant met with an elephant. As they touched the elephant, and they noded and remarked as follows.
Blind man 1: touched the trunk and said "Oh I know now the elephant is a snake".
Blind man 2: touched the tail and said "Oh I know now the elephant is a rope.
Blind man 3: touched the body and said the elephant is a wall.
4: touched the ivory and said " Oh I know now the elephent is a stick.
5: touched the ear and said" Oh I know now the elephant is a fan.
6: touched the leg and said "Oh I know now the elephant is a log.

Answer 8

That's just stupid.

The meek shall inherit the earth. But that doesn't mean God wants us to be poor.

Look at the Bible and the story of the talents which were given to the servants. That story teaches us that God want us to do more with our wealth. Sure giving it away is one way, but wouldn't it be more effective to create more opportunities for wealth and advancement for others?

That is what God wants.

Answer 9

that answer was addressed to one rich man in the Bible. Money was more important to him than God. Money could be considered his idol. For some people an idol could be their TV, football games, betting on the horses, etc. --whatever is important to you above God. If a person is a rich Christian the Bible says to he who is given much, much is required.. We are to give away at least 10% of our money to help others.

Answer 10

In countries with different kinds of society the idea of wealth isn't an difficulty and survival is the problem or the undesirable being cared for ought to nicely be more beneficial of an important situation than demanding about someone redistributing their wealth. In American society Christians loudly proclaim that we stay in a Capitalistic society and in view that that's a Christian u . s . in basic terms recuperate from it. in the adventure that your undesirable difficult crap reason you're literally not redistributing any of my wealth. i am going to provide a nickle the following and a dime there and take position at a homeless take care of on Thanksgiving to ease my massive guilt complicated. i am going to deny the undesirable the right to well being care and make contact with the unemployed lazy shiftless bums that must be thrown into borrowers penitentiary even as I strive against for the rights of banks and wall highway to foreclose on mortgages and throw human beings out on the line. Ecclesiastes 4:a million back I said each and each of the oppressions that are practiced lower than the solar. look, the tears of the oppressed- devoid of one to convenience them! on the part of their oppressors there changed into skill- devoid of one to convenience them. Proverbs 14:20 The undesirable are disliked even by making use of their acquaintances, notwithstanding the wealthy have many acquaintances. v.) 21. those who despise their acquaintances are sinners, yet chuffed are those who're variety to the undesirable. James a million:27 faith that's organic and undefiled before God, the daddy, is this: to look after orphans and widows of their misery, and to keep oneself unstained by using the international. how a lot funds did Jesus cost for healing the blind, lame and unwell? How a lot does salvation cost? What must be considered more beneficial than salvation in a christians viewpoint? to apply the bible to help a unwell capitalistic viewpoint that places coverage businesses before human beings and banks and wall highway before human beings isn't christian in the slightest. that's anti christian. notwithstanding the bible does say that in the most suitable days human beings will imagine they are doing God's will even as they kill others so i wager if leaving human beings on the line to keep each and each of the finer issues in existence is more beneficial important then more beneficial skill to YOU!