2006-09-26 14:00:00 · 16 answers · asked by man of ape 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Follow who?
You'd at least need some clothes or the police may arrest you.
2006-09-26 14:06:41 · answer #1 · answered by K.O. 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
No it is not required that you give up everything you possess to follow him. Some people think that people with money can't be Christians. That's not true. Poor people don't have a corner on holiness. To be a true Christian you need to trust in God and accept Jesus as your savior.
2006-09-26 21:06:15 · answer #2 · answered by mocha5isfree 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Consider the following: Jesus tells the story of three men who were given money. (You can read the story in Matthew 25). Two of the men invested the money and increased its value. They were rewarded for being faithful with the master's money. The last did not increase, or even invest the money. Instead he buried it away. When the master found out, he was angry and had the man cast in hell. He told the man he should have at least put the money into the bank where it could get interest.
Would appear the Jesus expected people to have some kind of increase, growth, or investment going on with their money. Did He support the "get rich quick", "grab all you can", and "heap it up for yourself" lifestyle? No. But many of the men in the Bible, such as Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Davdid, Solomon, etc. were men of great wealth.
What Jesus taught was that there is a PURPOSE to wealth. It is not for the individuals personal pleasure, but as a tool for helping others.
Perhaps that is men like Willian Hersey, who in the great depression increased his factories (and his own wealth in the process) so that he could create jobs. He even supplied his workers with free homes. What profit he did make personally was almost entirely poured by into orphanages for abandoned boys.
There have been many Christian businessmen over the years who have build fortunes, employed people, improved the economy to where we enjoy the highest standard of living today, and then poured the vast majority of their fortune back into works that helped to feed, house, educate, cloth, etc. millions of people who could not have survived without that money. I have read of many who lived on 10% of their income and gave the 90% to charity. Can you? Then perhaps you need some increase in your fiances so you can give more to others.
He explained how a rich person is used in the kingdom of heaven when he said "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of needle, then for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven". (See Matthew 19:24). The "eye of a needle" was a small gate that was used after dark when the main city gate was locked. It was only large enough for one person at a time. So a camel had to be unloaded and the "stuff" shoved through first. Then the camel knelt down and crawled in. A rich man enters heaven by sending his "stuff" first, and then coming on his spiritual knees afterwards. But once in, the camel is reloaded. And so a "rich man" is often used a "paymaster" in the kingdom of God. Because he has come on his knees to God, he can be trusted to properly steward finances once he is in.
2006-09-26 21:16:58 · answer #3 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The rich young ruler asked "what must I do ..." and Jesus said you must sell all you have and follow Me.
Jesus knew what was the rich young ruler's problem ... the ruler put money ahead of following Jesus.
No, it is not required that everyone give up all their possessions to follow Him.
But everyone must be willing to place Jesus ahead of any earthly possession.
2006-09-26 21:06:21 · answer #4 · answered by kent chatham 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In a word, NO. Preists and Nun's say that is what they do but that is only partly true. Yes, they own nothing. But did you ever see a homeless Nun? I don't believe that was how it was meant to be anyway. I think that to follow the lord one must not be greedy, give of yourself onto others as much as possible, do onto others as you would have them do onto you, etc.
2006-09-26 21:13:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, But God knows the things, that cause us problems, and if we gave up those things, I believe we would have an easier time, and get closer to God. Or at least fasted with the things that we care so much for, that shows we are trying. But im a good one to talk , I have my own problem, its my thorn in the side though, I guess we all have them.
2006-09-26 21:07:59 · answer #6 · answered by theladylooking 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, I think that once you've asked God to save you and everything; I think if you truly want to give your life to him you don't have to literally give up all your possessions. I think you just let him have your whole heart and he'll somehow let you know what you need to give up. And when you give it up you'll know it was the right thing to do.
2006-09-26 21:12:27 · answer #7 · answered by melissaandjon 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No where in the bible does it say that only poor people with no possession are the only ones allowed to follow Jesus.
2006-09-26 21:07:43 · answer #8 · answered by lady01love 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes absolutely!!!! the same Christians that quote the bible at every step just 'forget' the passage about the rich man. the same ferocious literalists begin to ' interpret' metaphorically when you ask them about their money. it's easy to defend a literalist view of Genesis but how much harder to renounce to your possessions.
all the true Christians should give up everything they own. otherwise they are just Pharisees and hypocrites.
2006-09-26 21:13:11 · answer #9 · answered by kuno m 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not sure if that is completely true. It's a noble idea, but don't think that it is always necessary. If you feel God tugging you in that direction, go for it. There are many ways to put your trust totally in God. And I think most of us falter in many ways (with total trust). I know I do.
2006-09-26 21:04:40 · answer #10 · answered by ScottyJae 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No you do not have to give all your possessions, it said to give up all WORLDLY THINGS, the things that would keep you from being faithful, and true to him, WORLDLY POSSESSIONS, NOT ALL YOU POSSESS.
2006-09-26 21:13:06 · answer #11 · answered by littlecwoman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋