I thought that it was better to be poor and I remember getting an answer from someone that mentioned in the bible, jesus taught for his followers to sell everything they owned.
Then there is the old "it is better to be poor on earth and rich in heaven"..don't worry I understand the analogy behind that.
But I can recall many times that it was taught being poor was better. Or just not super wealthy.
Or are you going to claim that this too was just open for interpretation?
2007-04-30 04:09:05 · 19 answers · asked by Sheriff of R&S 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think it has more to do with what you do withyour money than how much of it you have. If you are rich in spirit and faith in God then you really have all you need but money sure does make the passing of time here on earth a lot easier to stomach. You should be in the world not of it. Therefore if you have much, you should share much.
2007-04-30 04:14:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well some are called to make that sacrifice that Jesus told the young rich man to give... to sell all he had and follow him... Some call it a vow of poverty or the gift of poverty... basically the latter refers to someone who had been given strength by God to live with the bare basics and give away the rest they have. Being poor isn't a qualification for being a good christian... the key is what are you doing with the money you have. "To whom much is given much is expected" Luke 12:48 . Some are given either high paying jobs or what have you so they can help take care of others... those with money have the ability to do things like pay for someone else who can't afford it to get to a retreat or go on a missions trip... or finance a ministry...
Having money isn't bad... Money isn't the root of all evil... the biblical quote is THE LOVE OF MONEY is the root of evil 1 tim 6:10. So if God has blessed you with an excess... it's for a reason... seek him... and he'll tell you what to do with it. We are to be wise with our money good stewards...willing to share with those in need and willing to take risks.
The parable of talents (Matt 25: 16-30) is about 3 men who are given different amounts of money to invest. The first is given the most and invested wisely and got the largest return... the second did the same... and the last was afraid to loose it all so he hid the money and nothing was increased.... This story is about getting out there with God's gifts and that includes money... we need to be willing to take the risk to use what God has given us... and as the last man learned if you do nothing with your gifts it will be taken from you and given to someone who is obediant enough to use it.
2007-04-30 11:23:45 · answer #2 · answered by Jembee1720 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it would depend on how a Christian interpreted his or her faith.
If they take the Bible literally, well it was true that the early Christians were told to give up everything and live a life devoted to Christ's return. If they really wanted to follow their Book then they'd live a life of poverty.
If they don't take the Bible literally, then all bets are off, and being regular people, they probably wouldn't want to be paticularly poor.
2007-04-30 11:15:21 · answer #3 · answered by shengduoma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is really better to be poor? Do you think God is against wealth and having a good life?
Did He put us here to be miserable for a heavenly paradise?
No. God does not have a problem with wealth...but attachment to it. Inner renunciation is what is needed, not outter renunciation.
If you give up wealth, but are dreaming and wishing things were better and you had money....you are still attached to money.
It is more difficult for a rich man to go to heaven - but not impossible.
~ Eric Putkonen
2007-04-30 11:23:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great question. No, I'm not going to claim that it's open for interpretation.
You have to look at the REASON Jesus told his followers that. God doesn't need anyone's money. What God wants is everyone's HEART. Now, often, in that society as well as ours, where our money goes says a lot about where our hearts are.
Jesus could tell that the rich young man in the story to which you refer had made his money his greatest priority. God wants to be our #1 priority. What Jesus was essentially saying to the rich young man was, "You need to remove the thing in your life that's preventing God from being your top priority." It's not that God is inherrently against money, or even being wealthy. It's just that God wants to be your number one priority. For the rich young man, it was his material possessions and money that got in the way, for the bible tells us that he "went away sad."
God wants our hearts to be devoted to Him. He wants us to love him with all our heart, soul, and mind; and he wants us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Everything else is a matter of Christian freedom.
2007-04-30 11:16:17 · answer #5 · answered by Scotty Doesnt Know 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything you has said is true but Christianity does not say that being rich is bad, simply that giving all you have away to follow God is good.
The bible teaches that more will be expected from those who are rich 'to whom much is given much will be expected.'
2007-04-30 12:04:56 · answer #6 · answered by gerafalop 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Luke
.21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Means Perfect Or "complete." For treasure in heaven we must be ready to use all of our treasure here to do the work of Christ.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Means Hard for rich people to enter Why? Because skillful accumulation of wealth develops a love for it which grows to exceed love for God and for others
. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Means if you are rich then only though true devotion to god my you enter haven
The above can all be found in Luke and they all seem to say that gathering wealth leads to you being a bad follower of Christ so it would suggest that you can’t be rich and enter haven.
2007-04-30 11:26:19 · answer #7 · answered by ANNETTE D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible is a book of prosperity.
Prosperity of the soul.
Money is not important.
Use it for the good. The collective good. Donating money to the Gay Center or Abortions R'Us may work out for you, but is not the right answer.
2007-04-30 11:20:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A very good question.
Wherever the Bible speaks of money, oftentimes there is a warning. It is too easy for us as humans to put our trust in, and begin to worship things and money.
I'm running short of time, so I'll recommend a book that will really help.
Have a good one!
2007-04-30 11:16:29 · answer #9 · answered by Jed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe personally that it is better to be poor in spirit than to be rich if you are living to satisfy your own flesh. The most important riches the Lord has for us is not in the physical but in the spirit. However...to spread the word of God does require money...I do believe God desires to prosper us in "all" ways (in the spirit and physical) to forward his kingdom....if people believe that they have been prospered rather spiritually, talents, or money just for their own self and pleasures they are misdirected....Be Blessed.
2007-04-30 11:16:01 · answer #10 · answered by ticklemeblue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋