Christians. Time Magazine reports?

Question

That 61% of US Christians believe that Gold want them to be "financially prosperous."
31% believe that if you give money to God He will bless you with more money.
21% believe that material wealth is a sign of God's blessing.
What do you believe?

Answer 1

"It is easier for a camel to thread the eye of the needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven" or something like that.

The eye of the needle in those days was a small space to enter a castle wall, and they had to remove all baggage from the camel, and then the camel had to get on it's knees and scoot through. NOT SAYING THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE! just that it is more difficult because the temptations are great when it comes to money and power.

I am not a christian. I do believe that happiness comes from more than financial prosperity though.

Answer 2

Sounds like they learned their Christianity from the Puritans that believed that hard work and believe in God lead you to wealth and prosperity, that these were in fact signs that you were on the right path and in God's favor. Historically speaking.

As for the give some to get some theory, that seems to originate from the Catholics and the practice of Endulgences which still goes on tody but not to the same degree. It is not too far off from the idea of Karma thinking you get back what you give off. Good for good and bad for bad.

I believe people want to feel better about having wealth when others don't and they feel there must be a divine reason for why they are better off than the next guy. So, thinking God is rewarding them for being good or thinking that by giving God a Church or a monument they are ensuring that the divine plan continues to benefit them and others helps them to cope with their inability to answer the question "Why me?"

I'll give you this thought. You are rich because your parents were rich, or you were talented, or you were in the right place at the right time. They are not rich for all of the same reasons. They lacked the breaks it takes to succeed in life.

Of course, I don't imagine any drug dealers, prostitutes, or thieves answered this question, and don't assume they are not Christians. They may believe in the endulgency thing but not the "My money is coming from God" thing. They know differently.

Answer 3

Money is a non-issue where belief crosses tangible wealth. However, religion, not to be confused with belief, would have it's yard sticks on measures of success.

This survey simply shows the relationship of marrying ideas and extent to which:
a) religion is linked to financial prosperity and the interpretation thereof,
b) blind faith and the associated increase in money,
c) interpretation of material wealth equates with God's blessing.

I think that the practioner of various religions at a subconscious level might well be correct in the influence it has on them at arriving on the suggested possible results. That is as far as the survey shows and personally feel the suvey as a misnomer.

Answer 4

I believe if you have faith in God you will not need money or to be financially secure. You will be secure in knowing God will not let you starve or go without reasonable shelter. That may not mean steak and the Marriott, but it may mean pinto beans and cornbread in a makeshift shelter.

My grandfather used to quote a passage to his children during the Great Depression of the 1920's..."I have been young and am now old, and I have not see the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread." This is a quote from Psalm and David is the speaker.

Another passage asks God to "give me the food which is convenient for me" not too much or I will deny God, not too little or I might steal and make my God appear vain.

God has promised HIS children what they need to live. Food, shelter, and clothing. He did not promise the finest of these things, just the things we need for our daily need.

People think material blessings are the sole blessings from God, but God is a spirit and He is concerned with our spiritual needs MORE than our physical. He promises so much more than just what "we need" in the way of spiritual things...He gives liberally and fully if and when we bother to ask.

I always taught my children to ask for spiritual things they not only needed, but wanted and craved. Keep the material things limited to your daily needs and then believe you are heard by YOUR Father.

But, God will not heed someone who has not made HIM their Father. He hears, but does not heed. His children come first.

Answer 5

God's ultimate purpose for Christians is that they grow in character and integrity to be like Jesus Christ.

For some, this means trials, testing and tribulation.

For some, prosperity doesnt prevent such growth.

When a person is truly obedient to the teachings of Christ, prosperity can follow (based on the principles taught by Christ). However such prosperity is not guaranteed.

I am a Christian. I do not however believe in the "health and wealth" gospel.

Cordially,
John

Answer 6

We shouldn't be so obsessed with "success".
Remember the story of a businessman during a 15 days vacation in Jamaica, trying to convince a fisherman to go out to sea more often, in order to buy other boats, make more money and get rich... in order to be able to spend 15 days leave in Jamaica!
Am I crazy?

Answer 7

All of the above.

Your God is where your heart is; if your God is money, well... That´s what the Bible means when it says that a rich man is doomed.

There is nothing wrong about money, or having it.

Answer 8

I, too, read that article when I got my "TIME." I believe that GOD wants us to be rich, but not necessarily in $$. Could be rich in blessings, health, wisdom, etc. GOD will always see that my needs are met. Good question!

Answer 9

I believe Television can affect us a bit more than we admit.

Most people in that poll, should have been asked where they get their biblical understandings from. Bet that percentage is in the high 90's from Tv's feel good preachers.

Answer 10

God wants us to be blessed, successful and prosperous...

It's the love of money that is sin...not having money.

Blessings!