Should we sell all our possessions, give to the poor, and live freely as Jesus Christ wanted?

Question

Don't you think you could benefit society more by becoming something valuable, like a doctor, and treating numerious patients....rather than....selling all that you have and moving to the streets? All respect for him for what he intended, but love is sometimes miscalculated. Take a "bum" for example. By giving money to the "bum", you are positively reinforcing his behavior. By not giving him money, you are teaching him and future generations of bums to survive (i.e., become more physically and mentally fit). Is it true love to think about the immediate gratification of one person or to think about the long-term survival of many people? I don't know for sure and that's why I am asking the question.

Answer 1

Isn't it wonderful that we are not the ones that will have to sit in judgment? Maybe it would be better for us to give, "with an eye single to the glory of God" and let the person receiving be judged by how it was received and disposed of.

Answer 2

Anything, even a few good words, can be taken to extremes...Jesus spoke of an unencumbered life in a time when you weren't thrown in jail for not having a job, or set on fire for sleeping in an alley.
Neighbors knew each other because the population was a fraction of today's modern cities...Today, you can easily be eaten alive by the fast-paced society we've created if you don't keep moving and keep up.

Like any other life-pattern adjustment, start small...make a few adjustments to try it out, and if it fits you then expand on the idea until you find the inner peace you're looking for.

Answer 3

Its amazing how the Pagan (not neo-pagan, but ancient) prosperity belief infiltrates modern Christianity, and we fall for it with remarkable regularity.

You are claiming you know what is better for you or another person than Christ? That is sure audicity if I have ever heard it. We as a culture are addicted to materialism and regular definitions of "success"

For instance, what if said doctor sold everything save the bare survival basics, moved to the inner-city and used his skills and talents to heal the poorest who can't afford health care?

Also consider, that our economic system increasingly creates poor and homeless from good and hardworking people. You clearly are under the unfortunate and wrong impression that people who are homeless or poor must be lazy bums who hate work. There may be a very, very few of those, but for the most part, healthy people understand their need for gratifying work, and are devestated to be deprived of it.

Go back and reread the passages regarding love, including its non-judgmental qualities. Go back and reread the gospels and ask yourself how Christ's actions display at every moment, true love.

And then, ask yourself, why, when you are a Christian (which I am assuming you are from your question, but apologize if I am mistaken) why the word, "bum" is even entering your vocabulary.

Answer 4

We should follow Christ's actions to the letter. A life free of modern encumberances,is a simple, fulfilling, and happy life. I don't hear or see much of that under the guidelines of this society, where the chief law seems to be to buy things, even things you don't need. Remember that the only story in the New Testament to show Christ lose his temper, and act in a violent manner, was when he chsed the buyers and the sellers from the temple, claiming that it was a sacred place. Our lives certainly would become sacred, serene. and contemplative, much more important things than what we do with our lives today. Christ was right in his words, and if we all followed this simplistic way, we would all be truly equal, as we are, and there would be no violence among all of us. It's a god thing to do, and not a bad one.

Answer 5

As with any statement made by the man from Nazareth, the exhortation regarding selling all of one's possessions can be twisted or distorted. Christianity does not teach that it is wrong to own things. See 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. However, one need to avoid mak9ing possessions the be-all or end-all in life. Moreover, it seems that Jesus is teaching his followers to be self-sacrificing, even altruistic. Many Christians have literally sold their belongings, however, or lost them during times of persecution. If one wants to sell all that he has to pursue a spiritual avocation, then by all means, he should do it after earnestly praying to God and consulting with friends and family. Just be ready for whatever difficulties or blessings might come your way. Have a good life.

Answer 6

Great question! To address it at its basic level, I think one can live a life consistent with Christ's example and still have possessions -- as long as one is not driven by a desire for the material things and instead uses what one has to help those in need. Although I am far from Christ-like, that's what I try to do. I have a car, and the money to buy food. One way I use those material things is to keep nonperishable food items usable by the homeless (pop-top single servings of soups and stews, juice cartons, etc.) packed into individual bags of food, and every time I pass one of the street beggars, I hand them that instead of money. When I see one that seems to have a substance abuse problem, I tuck a 12-step meeting schedule into the bag. It isn't a perfect solution, but if we all do what we can while getting on with the necessary business of life, we are in small ways doing God's work.

"Becoming something valuable" -- one can become "valuable" in many ways. If one is a professional, like a doctor, using your skill without desire for material gain is definitely worthy. Many doctors and lawyers give their time and efforts to pro bono efforts. No matter what one's station in life, though, one can be "valuable" if one follows the core of Jesus' teaching: Love thy neighbor as thyself." If you look back at the turning points in your own life, you'd probably notice that what prompted them may have been the inspiration of example, or the friendship of a kind and loving spirit, or even just a new way of looking at things. Rarely do those crucial moments have anything to do with possessions.

Consider the many ways Christ worked to help people that had nothing to do with material things. He did not hand out his possessions. He healed the sick, comforted the troubled, and gave his followers something infinitely more valuable that temporary assistance (or a PS3, for that matter -- what a sad comment that was!). Jesus -- and Buddah, and other founders of faith -- gave people a way of living through hard times with dignity, an inner spiritual strength, and a plan for their lives that was constructive rather than destructive to themselves and others, which surely is the wish of a benevolent higher power.

Answer 7

First thing that comes to my mind is when He said "you will always have the poor with you" ( I paraphrased, of course) so giving up everything & giving to the poor wouldnt accomplish that much for them!!...we all have our own paths to walk and maybe some people would be willing to do this, but it takes all kinds to make a world, as the old saying goes...but it is a good question and has made me at least pause for a while to think upon it!!

Answer 8

About the bum part, personally I believe in giving though I do know of some who abuse others kindness,

Answer 9

My answer to your question - before reading all your rhetoric . . .

NOT in this lifetime . . .
altho many who are doing this?
May be contacted at the front of their cardboard boxes. . .
or at busy street intersections, with 'war' signs on their chests.

EDIT: after reading your chatty statement -
Interesting how you and I focused on the 'bum' in the street - as a sampling of those who follow this 'example' - of austere living. . . My answer stands as written.

Answer 10

It depends on your world view. If you are a xian, it doesn't matter if you become a doctor. You would simply be keeping people from their final reward or punishment longer.

You should do as Jesus did and follow his example.

If you are an atheist, you should do whatever makes you happiest.