I think not. He calls us to love Him with all of our heart and many times THE LOVE OF money and/or riches gets in the way of that. In those times He'll call us to give our riches away or He'll orchestrate our circumstances so He is first. When He has purified our hearts, He may bless us with financial wealth or He may not but He always seeks to bless us with His TRUE riches. What do you think? Is it wrong for a Christian to be wealthy? And are financially poor Christians more spiritual than wealthier ones? Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks!
2007-03-09 05:35:29 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Just the opposite. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, and that we could have life and have life more abundatly.
God is the God of more than enouph with plenty left over. So get ready for increase to multiply/ accelerate now. Increase in love, peace, finances, family, loved ones salvation, etc... this year, right now. Also, prophecied is many (faithful) will be out of debt at the end of 2007.
If you research great people of faith in the Holy Bible, you will realize that God always blesses His own with plenty/ increase. Poverty is actually a curse. How can you help others if you don't have anything for yourself. It is more blessed to give (have the means to give) than the blessing to receive.
Also, the overflow of Gods blessing needs to be poured out to others in our life or wherever one sees a need.
Wealthy is either gained by corrupt means or by Gods blessings. Corrupt way to wealth is singing the song of destruction, or slandering others to get promotion $. That is the love of money that is evil. That money is stored up for the Righteous. Righteous increase is when God sees a good steward of his increase and God blesses the person more. And the person gives to others in need as God directs.
Looking at examples today, when you see people who are rich by righteous means, then you will notice that they are very generous people. Bill Gates & Oprah Winfrey for example.
Billy Graham is rich in spiritual wealth, etc... Benny Hinn is rich in spiritual wealth, etc... They are very generous people. Willing to give their life for the cause of the Gospel.
Also, regarding the man who wouldn't sell his goods and give them to the poor. What the guy didn't say to Jesus was the first Commandment. To love God with all heart mind soul & strength (the first of the 10 commandments also). This rich man trusted, depended & loved his riches more than God. That is what he lacked. It is God who we should love & trust more than money. But he also knew the other commandments easy. Many today are the same way. They forget about the loving & trusting God part. And it is the first & most important comandment.
2007-03-09 06:12:32 · answer #1 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't think so!! Some of the most Godly people in the bible are Rich as well. Abraham, Joseph, Solomon, David. I think the point is not to let wealth interfere with him. Be ready to give it ALL up !! Maybe some Christians are called to a life of poverty! Think of ministers some don't get paid half as much as they would earn in the world. (Yeah I know there are exceptions) I don't think it is wrong for Christan's to be wealthy but I think the greater the wealth the greater the responsibility toward God. To whom much is given much is to be expected!!! (Luke something) Some financial wealth is inherited not worked for. Does that mean that they have to give it all up! I think that like everything we have to be wise in dealing with money. 'Life in abundance' may mean financial riches!!
2007-03-09 13:47:02 · answer #2 · answered by bcooper_au 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am very against the "prosperity message" being preached by most tv evangelists and church pastors these days. It states that if you give them your 10 % (before taxes!) then God will give you a 100 times more.
What you are saying isn't the prosperity message but it is bordering on it. There is much rebuke of the wealthy in the new testament by the Lord and the Apostles. If you find yourself in a time of blessing then share it with others. How can that be love if you are rich when there are so many people around you with little kids in need?
2007-03-09 13:54:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
To the 'eye of a needle' answer: Jesus was speaking of how reluctant a rich man would be to give all that he had worked, sweated and bled to acquire over to the control of a God he couldn't even see, not that rich man are unacceptable. If you had a vast amount of wealth, would you want it thrown to somebody you've never seen? The rich are not necessarily more sinful than the poor, as 'all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God', but they are more reluctant to give up the things of this world than the poor. They would be giving up much to the control of God, while the poor give up little.
To the question: No, he does not. However, the financially poor, while not necessarily more spiritual, are often more relient on God because of their physical position, giving them a greater access to God's providence, care and love.
2007-03-09 13:48:08 · answer #4 · answered by John F 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. I don't think that it's wrong for a Christian to be wealthy, as long as he doesn't put his wealth before God. And financially poor Christians are not necessarily more spiritual than wealthier ones.
2007-03-09 13:40:26 · answer #5 · answered by La Gringa 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No flaming, but I do think that is an option for some Christians if they choose it.
The Bible does say that its easier for a poor man to get into heaven, lol...but I am not sure that applies now. It is probably more of a temptation to sin if you have more to sin with I guess. But I really think its an individual thing.
The Skeptical Christian
Grace and Peace
Peg
2007-03-09 13:41:37 · answer #6 · answered by Dust in the Wind 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you can look to get wealth solely for the purpose of helping to build up the kingdom of God and not your personal welfare, that is one thing. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God," that is to say. I think becoming a true Christian means that you are being called to pass through trials and tribulations, but that God will sustain you through them all. I think you can be poor and spiritual, and rich and spiritual, but it is harder for the rich person to stay humble unless they recognize where their blessings come from on a daily basis.
2007-03-09 13:41:06 · answer #7 · answered by Cookie777 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you have plenty of money, it is because you know how to manage money. If you are poor, it means you don't know how to manage your money. -- That is not an opinion, that is a logical consequence.
So, why should a rich person give all his money to the poor? Wouldn't they just waste his money as they did their money?
Exception: Jesus told a rich man to sell all he owned and give it to the poor. Why? That was case specific. I imagine it was because that particular rich person was so fixated on his possessions that they were possessing him, and distracting him from choosing Harmony as a way of life.
Harmony is harmony; disharmony is the only sin against God.
2007-03-09 13:50:51 · answer #8 · answered by MrsOcultyThomas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I liked Yo Yo Ma and Yummygoo answers. In addition to their answers I offer "Ye can not serve God and mammon, for you will love one and hate the other.
The story of Lazarus in Luke and John tells about the rich man. The rich man was amazed that he was in purgatory and Lazarus was in paradise.
But most of all is the mark of the beast, the desires (lustfullness) of men, for things that are not theirs.
2007-03-09 14:16:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe that we are called to a life of poverty, but to a life of service. If in the process of serving God, He chooses to provide for us in abundance greater than normal, then there is no ill in that. But it is not righteous, or holy, or godly for a Christian to purposely attain wealth for their own uses, or self aggrandizement.
So how does one who proclaims Christ do that? We work for Him, everything we do we do as unto Him.
2007-03-09 13:53:32 · answer #10 · answered by thankyou "iana" 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋