Why do some evangelical Christians have nice homes, cars? Aren't Christians suppose to live like Christ?

Question

who was a poor man?

Answer 1

Good question... That is the definate hypocrisy of religion look at our president. By the way I see Christians driving Hummers around town here with the bumper sticker of a local mega church and I always think to myself wwjd
what would jesus drive

Answer 2

That's a judgement call...

They may have nice stuff but you don't know how much they use to help others. Then again, how much more could they have helped someone if they bought a good used car rather than a nice brand new Cadillac Escalade...

Then again, christians are human and not perfect. Some are very prone to greed.

So to answer your question...

More than likely, greed.

Let's say God blessed me with a huge income.

I had my choice to by a decent home for a low price or an extravagant home for an exhorbitant price. Let's say either way I had enough left over to use to help the poor.

If I bought the decent home I would have $100000 to give to help the poor. If I bought the expensive one I would only have $10000 to give to the poor. Both help the poor but because of my greed they only received a tenth of the blessing they could have received.

So no matter how anyone tries to spin it, there's no excuse. Greed.

Answer 3

Right from birth Jesus was wealthy. Those gifts of gold, myrrh. and frankincense were very valuable.

You are confusing reality with dogma as preached by idiots that misread and misinterpret scriptures. No where in the Bible does it say that Christ was impoverished.

As for those Christians that have nice things in their lives, I only want to know whether those things were worked for or were gotten through ill means. Wealth is not unchristian, and neither is money. It is the LOVE of wealth or money that are sins. There is a very big difference between these. I condemn those that steal or cheat to get wealth. I praise those that earn it honestly.

Go back and study the Bible instead of just reading it and letting others tell you what it means. You will be far better off in the future.

Answer 4

Dear Secret Asian Man,

The Bible most certainly has much to teach about the danger of money. Jesus' lack of wealth- first showed his humility and his dependence upon God and these are the things that believers should imitate.

It is true that it is hard to remain humble when one is wealthy. And also i think that Jesus warns about the dangers of loving money.

It shows first that many Christians have been influenced by culture and its values. Some may raise the critical finger and call them hypocrites- but Christians have never professed to be perfect- just doing their best to live like Christ.

i know some wonderful Christians who have made a great living and spend a great deal of their money helping charities and those who are less fortunate. And i think that's the key. Everyone must be aware that any wealth they accumulate they've accumulated it with God blessing them and they are to use their blessings to bless others.

The question you are asking is a little unfair cuz it's like saying how can you eat out when there are homeless people? i think Jesus would care more with when you see a homeless man- what is your heart towards him?

That's really the key: what are people's hearts towards wealth? How do people handle their wealth. i know a couple with a nice home in San Diego that they bought just for the sake of using it for ministry. i think God would be rather pleased with their ministry and use of their money. Ultimately everyone has to answer to God individually to how they use their: money, time and talent.

Hope that helps.

Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 5

I don't know that Jesus was poor. He actually had very wealthy friends.

Love of money is the root of evil... not money itself.

Christians aren't called to be in debt. I don't believe to live above their means. Does that mean I can't have financial responsibility? Of course not. There are many scriptures on how to live a sound financial life.
Should I drive in an old beat up car, and a tenement, so that people can say, gee what has God done for her? She lives in abject poverty.My God has the cattle on a thousand hillsides. I am not to have crumbs, for the dogs.

Answer 6

There is no command that says every christian must be an itenerant evangelest. Christ was a traveling preacher who stayed in the homes of his friends, such as Mary and Martha. He was not some homeless bum like today's homeless are. Besides Cultures have changed. If you want Christians to stay in other people's homes, can I stay at your house? I'll come over tonight. If Christ came to your door would you let him in? For encoragement listen to ttb.org.

Answer 7

The Bible does indeed account for Jesus not even having enough money to buy bread. It said that when he was traveling he and his apostles were very hungry but couldn't buy bread. God didn't send his son down here to live the good life, but to suffer like everyone else so that he can appreciate those who he is Lord of.

I watched Benny Hinn who has an 8.5 million dollar mansion in California and a private jet valued at 25 million dollars say on international television that people were going to die and burn in hell because not enough money was being sent to his ministry.

People like him, and so many others (Kenneth Copeland, creflo dollar, Joyce Myers etc.) are nothing more than peddlers of Gods word for their own sordid financial ways.

Answer 8

Nice homes and cars? What about the christians that make a living preaching the "prosperity doctrine"? In the words of the band All Star United:

"All the saints and martyrs alike,
well they would have called a national strike,
demanded less pain, more personal gain,
if only they'd known their rights..."
~LaLa Land

Answer 9

So all Christians are supposed to live in poverty? It takes money to evangelize. God gives us the power to get wealth so we can help others, not hoard it. If I had a family, I'd want them to live in a nice home, and ride in a nice car. If a Christian makes more money, it means that he or she can tithe more, and give more to help people in need.

Answer 10

He's returning as King!! He has a mansion with many, many rooms! He came as a poor, humble, stricken man because that is how he said He'd come. Christians of all income levels have one thing in common....they are blessed. Whatever you see a Christian have materially, their real reward is in heaven, with God.

Isaiah 53:4-7
4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth