are christians who have more money than they need hypocrites?

Question

matt 19:21

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

how many christians have cd players, cars, computers, clothes they never wear? Don't christians have as much consumer crap as everyone else? What would jesus say about these 'christians' leading comfortable lives when there are people who have nothing?

shouldnt christians sell their possessions and give to the poor? Why do they ignore their leaders teachings in this area?

Answer 1

no they arent

when jesus said this to the rich young ruler he was showing the ruler that his heart and desire was really with his money and not in following jesus

the problem with money is whengreed is involved

the bible doesnt say there is anything wrong with money it says

the LOVE of money is the route of all evil

if a christian (or anyone) has more money than they need but are generous with it where is the problem or hyprocricy

personally i am a chriastian and would love to have more money than i need so that i can afford to be more generous than i am able to be at the moment

Answer 2

Problem with the bible is if you don t understand 1st century culture its very hard to understand the bible! Jesus is talking to a man who has a real problem with money. Read the passage above. He asks what he should give up. He lists what he could give up and misses out cash!

For example: Turning the other cheek. Lots of non Christians think Jesus was saying we must be meek! No! Romans had a clean hand for eating and a dirty hand for dirty tasks like touching rubbish and hitting the 'non human' slaves. By turning your cheek you were making the Roman hit you with his clean hand making you a 'human' slave. Jesus was a rebel!

He said many things like this that if you understand them are quite shocking!

To understand the bible you need a book (dummies has a good one) or a thoughly trained teacher. Its not easy whole colleges are devoted to it. There are also bibles in modern English, in modern slang, teaching bibles, catholic bibles (with extra books inside!). Christianty is intresting because its based on a lot of historical fact.

I am a christian and for me the most powerful testiment of Jesus ressrection are his early jewish deciples. Who denied him and fled before he was killed. Later every single one of them died for Jesus. What happened what did they see to make them so brave and bold? The risen Lord!

I also have to say I am a sinner. I am human. I am not perfect! Nor are my 'leaders'

Answer 3

Thats true he did say that. But Jesus isnt saying Christians are not allowed to own possesions or have money. He is teaching us not to be "striving after riches", because this interferes with our worship.

Look at verse 16-24: Now, look! a certain one came up to him and said: “Teacher, what good must I do in order to get everlasting life?” He said to him: “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is that is good. If, though, you want to enter into life, observe the commandments continually.” He said to him: “Which ones?” Jesus said: “Why, You must not murder, You must not commit adultery, You must not steal, You must not bear false witness, Honor [your] father and [your] mother, and, You must love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him: “I have kept all these; what yet am I lacking?” Jesus said to him: “If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” When the young man heard this saying, he went away grieved, for he was holding many possessions. But Jesus said to his disciples: “Truly I say to YOU that it will be a difficult thing for a rich man to get into the kingdom of the heavens. Again I say to YOU, It is easier for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God.”

Obviously this man was not observing this commandment as best as he could and put his material wealth above God.

There is nothing wrong with possesions, as long as we dont become too gready.

Answer 4

There is a female "snake oil salesman" calling herself a minister here in town, very well known, huge huge church full of lemmings who really should take a drive by her palatial mansion and ask themselves that question. Go at Christmas, if you aren't blinded outright, it might spark some sort of questioning. Hmmm, I give them my money, hmmm, she lives better than entire countries, hmmmm, I wonder what the connection is,hmmmm.

I have never understood by christians in particular are so completely stupid as to what the top "leaders" in their so called religions are doing while laughing all the way to the bank. Give me a break, what maroons. And yes, I mean maroons not morons. No reason to insult the morons.

Answer 5

It doesn't make them hypocritical to have things and worldy possessions. The problem comes with as Jesus said worshipping two masters-love of money or love of him. It's hard to acquire expensive stuff, become a millionaire, etc without starting to almost worship money. When money becomes the only thing you think of, thats when its a problem for Christians. Christians should be thinking of Christ in everyone of their decisions and not how much money they would gain or lose.

Answer 6

I don't think they are hypocrites; however, I do believe that having many possessions and alot of money certainly puts your salvation at a greater risk. Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter Heaven.

Answer 7

It can be seen from both views, Traditionally if this occured, then christians may be called hypocrites. However that is likely to only be devout christians. This question needs to be put into context and consider contemporary society. We live in a money making culture and christians need money and possessions to live as well.

Answer 8

Need is a relative thing. Some people need lots of money for a sense of security, some to appease their ego, others to live as they choose. I'm not following you're line of reasoning other than pointing out the inherent problems of literally interpreting the Bible and the hypocrisy of those that do.

Answer 9

Now you should have knows that most Christians who see this will react, "But we're not perfect! So this isn't to be taken literally!" Nice way to weasel out of it.

They also need to read Luke 12:33, where Jesus tells his disciples tp sell their belongings and lay up treasure in Heaven.

Then he says (Luke 14:33), "Whoever does not give up all he has cannot be my disciple."

That's pretty emphatic. Pretty clear. But my experience is when you put this to Christians, they weasel out of it by pointing out that since Jesus spoke in parables, this isn't lto be taken literally. Even though THIS is an instuction, not a paralbe!

OR they'll weasel out of it by saying, "You just have to be WILLING to do it-- it's not necessary to really DO it!"

Yes, they're hypocrites. Also weasels.

Answer 10

The statement was made as a test of wether or not God was the most important thing to people. It's not wrong for Christians to have lots of stuff, so long as in their heart they believe God is more important.