A question for Christians?

Question

It would seem that Jesus made it very clear that Christians should not be wealthy - 'blessed are the poor'... 'woe to you who are rich' ....'it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven' etc. I was wondering how Christians who have expensive holidays, nice cars, luxury homes, children who have 'everything' justify it all in the light of the suffering in the world. Suffering that could be alleviated by individuals doing what Jesus told them to do, not just sending 50 quid off to Comic Relief to make them feel better.

As expected most Christians dodge the issue and try and deflect the focus away from question that was asked, typically by playing the 'out of context' card. OK, take away the biblical quotes, how do Christians morally justify their comfortable lifestyle while others die of starvation or lack of medical care. Just read the replies to see how they do.....convinced?......nor am I.

Answer 1

I agree.A lot of people who call themselves Christians are neglecting their religious duties in the name of money.

Answer 2

If a person just lives in a small, cheap trailer with a beat up car that runs and clothing that looks like it has seen better days, but has a job to make ends meet, is still considered rich compared to those who starve every day and don't even have a home. If you read in the Bible when it talks about Lazarus and the beggar, in those days, there were no TVs, cars, phones, etc, but still, the rich man had more than the poor man. My point to this is, is that we are all rich in some way when you consider others that have less. We are to help the poor when the time comes to us no matter how little we might think we have. This doesn't mean just monetary. We can help the poor by giving them items also.

Answer 3

What the bible means by that is that you are not suppose to be "of the world" even though you are in it. This means to worry about Jesus and not your worldly goods. You are not able to take anything from your life here with you. (except maybe your family and friends) so worry about your treasure in heaven. Someone who has a lot of goods and "treasures" or money on earth would more likely find it harder to accept Jesus and get their focus off of the world than someone who had nothing or very little of this world. People who do have a lot of money need to be careful. All christians need to be careful to not get "caught up in the things of this world". Hope this answers your question. If not then maybe I could explain better.

Answer 4

You are right to a point, many people (Christians included) should do more to help the poor.

If all the people in the USA were to only give 10% of the income (10% is very small amount. Example: 10% of $300 dollars is only $100 dollars with $200 dollars still left over.) poverty in the USA would be greatly diminished.

So, Where did you get the idea that a Christian was ever wealthy to begin with???

Where does all wealth reside??? God owns it all.

"Your (words and) laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. " Psalm 119:91

It is the human perception and desire of money that gets us all into trouble.

The apostle Paul wrote: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced (caused) themselves with many griefs (and all kinds of pain).” 1 Timothy 6:10

Jesus said: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” - Matthew 6:24

Even the devil tried to temp Jesus with money.

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" – Matthew 4:8-10

Does this mean that God doesn’t want us to have any money and be living like a beggar in the streets? No, he doesn’t want that at all either.

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11

What God really wants from us is not to desire money but desire and seek Him only. He wants us to help others with the blessing he has given to us. The choice is up to us.

"Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not (only) invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, (also) invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." - Luke 14:12-14

And should the Lord want us to give more to others than what we now have, then the Lord will provide.

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury (some of it later to given up to the poor). Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on (because she loved God so very much)" – Mark 12:41-44

“God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much love we do it.” - Mother Teresa

Answer 5

Jesus also said " you do not need a building of brick and mortar, look inside your self and I will be there". Implying you need nothing but Jesus. Giving the bible more merit than Jesus is Blasphemy. Also, you have slightly taken the verse out of context. Having money doesn't make you evil, the wanting of money however can. Do what you can with what you have.

Answer 6

People who are meek do not put their desires above God's desire for them. That has nothing to do with poverty. I don't see you marching to Africa to save the children in Deafer. People make other people suffer to elevate themselves. I wouldn't send a dime to any relief org. unless it was Christian. And that's no joke. Aide workers who demand sex from children in order to get a bag of rice are despicable. These are their own countrymen. Wealth comes from hard work and to those that much is given much is expected .Check out Bill Gates

Answer 7

Jesus tells the rich man that he must give up everything that he has and follow him. The rich man refuses. Jesus was talking about wealth, personal wealth, not spiritual wealth. I think that you must be willing to part with everything in order to follow god, not give away all of your possessions. You just need to be willing to do that. How can we be blessed if we are poor? Why did God make Abraham wealthy, but Jesus that spoke Gods word and was with God in Abraham's time says that we should be poor? It isn't your wealth, but your willingness to give up everything for God.

Answer 8

NONONONO!

he said "Blessed are the POOR IN SPIRIT". He was talking about rich men who are greedy and still want more without sharing with the poor. Rich men who don't bother going to Chruch when there's money to be made.

Answer 9

>>I was wondering how Christians who have expensive holidays, nice cars, luxury homes, children who have 'everything' justify it all in the light of the suffering in the world.<<

I don't know, as I have none of the above.

Answer 10

those things that you quoted from the Bible dont have literal meanings...y not read the whole text so you could better understand them...it just means that persons who prioritize first material possession here on earth are not good investors of heaven...but it's not bad if someone lives an abundant life here on earth...it's our personal choice anyway...

Answer 11

have you not read of the riches of Job, Solomon, Abraham,
and that Jesus was buried among the rich in a rich mans tomb.
He condemns the rich who place their riches above Him.
he who has the heart to give let him give