There is lots in the bible about giving away wealth. Jeusus said it was easier for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle than to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. How can anyone at the same time call themselves Christian and live in luxury while children starve to death because of poverty in the world.
Of course rich people can attend dinners where the rich can meet the rich and famous, proceeds to charity of course but that may be more about meeting idols, social climbing or salving conscience and getting tax breaks than real concern for humanity.
Doesn't a true Christian have to give all wealth to the poor and keep only what is absolutely necessary. Rolex, Cartier and Mercedes Benz do not qualify as necessary by the way.
How can people follow evangelists who are live in luxury from donations which could feed entire African villages for years.
2006-10-28 08:46:53 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Most religions are hypocritical
2006-10-28 08:52:01 · answer #1 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think true charity is making an effort to see that everyone around you has access to basic necessities, and what you give away should still be usable. It would be nice to have everyone on the same economic level, but I suspect that will never occur until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. There is something called the law of consecration which means you use everything you have for the building up of the Kingdom of God, and give away the excess to others. The thing is, how do you determine what is excess? If I hope to have a nice house someday for the purpose of inviting non-believers over to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, does that mean people who live in very small homes will always be judging me? There is still a lot of individual choice here going on, and whereas I would be perfectly happy living in a trailer home (and have done so, with an extension added on), I still would like to live in something larger for the long term. The important thing is to remember that God knows the intentions of our heart, and I have met some very Christian people who use their resources to help many people, but they do not advertise it. What you do is put the Kingdom of God first, and don't forget to spend time helping others on a regular basis.
2006-10-28 16:02:15 · answer #2 · answered by Cookie777 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus never said there would not be poor. And yes, to give to the needy we shall.
However, just because one has wealth does not mean he has to give it all to the poor. God knows who is true at heart for helping others and who is in it for more money or social ladders.
The riches christians are the ones who have God without having to have "things of this world that you cannot take with you and that moths and rust only destroy.
The richest christians are the ones who live the life God wants them to live.
Not "all christians" are the kind that live off donations so to speak while others starve. There are many that do donate money or have fundraisers or help the poor whenever and wherever God guides them to. If one does become successful however with Gods help and prayers in life, that is a blessing as many do have more blessings than others for whatever reasons.
We should not label all christians or evangelists this way if they have a luxurios lifestyle. Some have really worked hard to earn it and maybe give tot he needy or others in disguise as the Bible says to give to others without others knowing and only for God's grace not ours.
True Christians who follow God are the richest without being hypocrites. :)
2006-10-28 16:00:54 · answer #3 · answered by yeppers 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can be a rich Christian without being a hypocrite
the Bible tells us that we can't forget about the widow, orphan, fatherless, hungry, etc.
as long as we are using our resources to help others whether they are hungry in America or Africa
you don't have to have a broke-down car or an expensive one either
manage your finances the way God said to and wealth will come into your hands and the more wealth God gives you the more He expects you to use them for His purposes
your text was about the rich young ruler who made an idol out of his money and couldn't bear to give it away
Jesus was saying it is easier for a money-serving person to pass through the eye of a needle than to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven
you're mixing two different subjects
by the way, you can't help the poor if you are struggling to scrape the rent each month and getting your electricity cut off every other month and you yourself has nothing to eat
2006-10-28 16:00:35 · answer #4 · answered by Deborah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not the fault of any Christian who were born rich. Many of them came from poor start in life and they tried to work hard to get out of it. Jesus meant his words for those rich who are so attached to their wealth or their belongings. The needle He was referring to was the arched gate to the city where camels of rich man can hardly enter because of all the stuff placed on the back of the camel that made it hard to pass through.
Another message to that it is a nature of man that has so many baggages on his shoulder that would make it hard for him to live a religious life.
Many rich nations also come to help the needy of the country you mentioned and yet it seems that those needy have been taken advantaged of their leaders by enriching themselves first before it goes to the right people while others have stayed contented enough to be fed instead of learning to gather themselves together and work their way out to fight their own poverty.
What you are insinuating is already being done not only by the rich Christians but Muslims as well and other religious sects including those who do not have religion at all but have the heart to give.. What you have to see now is if ever the nations you mentioned are able to get rid of their leaders who are taking advantages of their ignorance and weakness and if they are able to find a better way to stand up and fight for their right to enjoy life. There will always be poor in the world and you will find them in places where the ignorant and lazy are gathered together because as long as they are like that, they will always fall victim to those opportunists who work together like hungry hyenas.
2006-10-28 16:26:26 · answer #5 · answered by Rallie Florencio C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. However, some denominations now believe that it is the will of God that Christians be 'blessed with riches'. Many churches preach this, but I believe that it is a gross misinterpretation of the Bible. I believe that the blessing of riches comes when we are in Heaven, not while we are here on earth.
That's not to say that someone who is a Christian cannot be rich. God gave many in the Bible who were true to Him riches far exceeding those of the people around them. But these people also did not live ostentatious lives, and shared the wealth with those less fortunate, and that is how rich Christians today should live.
2006-10-28 15:51:12 · answer #6 · answered by Shayna 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My Bible also says seek ye first the kingdom and its righteousness and all things shall be added unto you. In orther words lots of people put material things and the pursuit of wealth before the kingdom. Before God thereby making it their idol.
My bible also says camel through a needles eye. Speculates lost in translation. Another muslim translation says elephant. It is difficult when you seek money before the one who it all belongs to . A needles eye was translated to be a narrow passage coming from an ancient trade center, like a low bridge. (Look that up.
He also said "the poor you will have with you always." personal opinion : some people you can give your all, all your food, clothes, etc. and they will be hungry and naked the next week. Teach them how to fish or remove the circumstance preventing them from fishing. Amen. Praise the Lord.
2006-10-28 16:15:34 · answer #7 · answered by mertyce g 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think an ostentatious show of wealth is a bad idea for anyone who is a born again believer in Christ. I do not think that being prosperous is a sin; God prospered many in the bible who were true to Him. I do think giving money to those less fortunate, and being sober minded in how we live, is necessary. I agree with the show of wealth of some of these "televangelists"...it's shameful.
2006-10-28 15:50:48 · answer #8 · answered by Esther 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The key is to give you see the rich are generous not greedy and if you plan to be rich you are going to have to learn this.
give first 10% to God
save next 10%
be accountable for 80%
This is what alot of wealthy individuals do because they know without God they never would have gotten there in the first place.
2006-10-29 13:46:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your quote is wrong its easier for a camul to pass through the eye of a needle than a richj man to enter heaven. but that was more about love of riches. I do get your point about rich preachers I was on stage with one in india
he was always late came in in a big car and rushed off after speeking I did not like him much at all but he was a powerfull speaker. Money can work both ways it can be used for God or kept. the bible also tells us to use our gufts wiselyy and that includes money. not to be greedy but use some coman sence.
2006-10-28 15:53:33 · answer #10 · answered by Sam's 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there's nothing bad about being prosperous or rich as long as we use our riches to advance God's kingdom. The love of money is the bad thing (1 tim. 6:10). Being rich actually brings us to a position where we could bless more people
2006-10-28 16:08:39 · answer #11 · answered by caleb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋