"Christians": How do you know you love God more than money if you will not give all you have to the poor?

Question

Matt 6:24-34
"No man can serve two masters ... Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat, and the body than raiment?
"Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? ..."

Matthew 19:21-29
"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.
...
"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

Answer 1

This is a really hard one, and it shows a great deal of concern on your part for the poor and downtrodden and reverence for God who has given us so many rich blessings.

I hesitate to answer your question, because I feel that you doubt that people who do not give up everything are true Christians. There are many difficult passages in the New Testament that we struggle with on a daily basis.

DIFFICULT PASSAGES
One of the key points, however, is interpreting the scripture in light of the rest the Bible, especially the New Testament. Christ DID say these things, yet he also said in Mark 9 (NIV) to pluck out your eye or cut off your foot or hand if it offended you. He also said, literally, "And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven." Matt. 23:9. Then there is the very confusing Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple."


HOW DO WE INTERPRET THESE?
How do we interpret difficult passages such as these? Do we not love God because we refuse to obey these clear commands? Did Christ literally mean to give everything to the poor, or to cut off our foot, to hate our parents or to not call our paternal parent 'father?' Of course not. Jesus was preaching so his audience would realize the depths of their sinful nature and turn to HIM, rather than trust in their own “good works” for salvation.


WHAT ELSE DID JESUS AND THE APOSTLES SAY ABOUT MONEY?
But back to the specific question about God and Mammon and the verses you cited.

First, giving money to the poor is sometimes not the only expression, or even the best expression, of our love for God. Jesus allowed the woman to pour expensive ointment on Him, on one occasion, rather than selling the perfume and giving the money to the poor.

Second, Jesus seems to have expected that people should take care of their dependents' physical needs. He pointed out that money "given to God" (Mark 7:11-12) when it should have been used to help dependent parents was sinful.

The Apostle Paul also expected most Christians to work and provide for the physical needs of themselves and their dependents, including widows.
Paul, in 1 Thess, tells us in 4:11 "(m)ake it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,
(12) so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Paul himself was a tentmaker and he practiced his trade while preaching, making money so that he didn’t need a salary. He didn’t expect early Christians to give everything away (although they certainly lived more simply than we do) and then be dependent on Church or public support.

Third: While giving to the poor is held up as a good work in scripture, spreading the gospel is even more important. When done correctly, the church should do both in tandem. A hungry, cold person can’t learn scripture as well, while a well-fed person can still be lost and spiritually poor.


THE ANSWER: POSSIBLY AN INDIVIDUAL CALL
Is anyone then, really called to give up everything? Paul makes it very clear that individual Christians are called to do different things: teaching, preaching, helping, showing mercy, etc. Not everyone is called to do the same thing. For some people, their call may involve giving large amounts of their personal income or even divesting themselves of all personal property. This is between the individual person and God. Others may sacrifice time, energy, talent, or other skills.

Certain denominations and communal groups have made the process of non-ownership of property easier…if that is the best term. In these groups, the individual’s basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, basic medical care) are provided for, although luxuries aren’t provided. In this way, Christians can “give up” possessions while knowing that their physical needs will usually be met without being a burden on others. These groups, however, are usually limited to those without dependents.

ASCETIC PRACTICES: LOVE FOR MANKIND OR PERSONAL SPIRITUAL GROWTH
I think your question brought up another point: what would be the purpose behind our donating everything to the poor? True love for and a desire to help the suffering? A gesture of faith and devotion to God? Or as a way to increase or prove our own spirituality?

I think that many people tend to admire those who choose a “simple” life and believe that ascetics are somehow closer to God and more pleasing to Him because of their sacrifice. We have to remember, though, that some people choose a simple life by choice and that asceticism does not make us holy. Paul reminds us in Colossians 2:23 that “Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” We please God when we do what HE calls us to do, not when we take up a specific path simply because it appeals to us.

CONCLUSION

Although giving money and sacrifice IS certainly an area in which modern American Christians REALLY miss the boat and dishonor our Lord, God wants much more than money.

The true Christian should be given 100% to God, not just in terms of money or wealth. This isn’t a cop-out: a true Christian’s WHOLE LIFE is to be a sacrifice to God. Sometimes it’s easier to let go of a $100 bill than our favorite program, or book, or video game, or questionable movie. Sometimes we’d rather have time alone (or go to a party) when God needs us to do just the opposite. Sometimes we’d like the opportunity to harbor a grudge or lash out in anger at someone who’s harmed us. Sometimes we even give money, lots of it, just for recognition on a bronze plaque or because it’s the easiest thing to do. It’s a lot easier than getting involved in someone else’s life.

I’m afraid that I’ve given a cold, theological answer to a warm question about why the modern Christian church doesn’t always show love in a more tangible, personal form to the hurting and needy. Christians aren't perfect; we're still growing and learning. I’ll conclude by saying that I know a good, kind Christian woman who herself lives in a small cabin on a few hundred dollars a month. She has no car, no washing machine, although she may have a television. Until a few years ago, she did not have running water but kind neighbors appealed to her out-of-state landlord to correct this. She is now unable to work. She lives, basically, upon the charity of others who bring her groceries and an occasional gift of money. Why is she poor? I don’t know, but I wish more of us had the contentment that she has. She has not divested herself of the small amount of property that she has, but instead gives of what she DOES have plenty of: faith and contentment.

Answer 2

To give a good answer to the question then we need to look at the righteous viewpoint of God's inspired word from the Bible to come to an accurate answer than rely on our own possibly fallible reasonings.

It is not being rich that is the problem with the love of money it is your ATTITUDE to money that matters.
Giving away all your possessions and money to the poor is a fine thing but if you have not enough to sustain yourself and more importantly your family then you are not doing a good thing (1 Timothy 5:8). Making yourself poor is not the idea God has but the attitude you place to material wealth and how much you donate should come from the heart and not under guilty compulsion as God likes a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Job was a very wealthy man yet there were poor in his day too yet God loved Job so much that he said there is no other like him in the earth (Job 1:8).
King Solomon was the wealthiest king ever yet he had the right attitude to wealth because Solomon put wisdom of God before everything (2 Chronicles 1:7-10).
Money itself is not evil it is the LOVE of money that is the root of injurious things (1 Timothy 6:10) Money is just a means of barter for goods and services needed.

Answer 3

Since you are reading God's book with a "natural mind" that is the way you will interpret what is written.
The Bible is a "spiritual" book for "spiritual people." You were answered when you asked this question before.

No one told anybody to give everything you own to the poor. But just so you know, Pat Robertson and his wife did this very thing, and God gave back to them three-fold.

I started out poor so I became rich because I placed my trust in God, and I give freely with no strings attached. My faith is put to action daily.

Now why don't you prove you are better than most Christians and give all you have to the poor.

Answer 4

Eternal perspective! You can't take the material things of this world with you when you depart this life - and you surely will one day. God sent Jesus into the world to die on a cross, and take the punishment which you deserved, so that you can have the opportunity to know Him personally, have your sins forgiven and a home one day in Heaven. Cant think of anyone else who could or has done that much for me - how about you! Material things pale into insignificance at the awesomeness of God.

Answer 5

The Bible never preaches or teaches the gospel of poverty, meaning that we do not have to prove our love to God by doing anything. Those who preach that a person must impoverish themselves in order to follow Christ do not understand the true gospel of Jesus Christ. To give up all and follow Christ is to be willing to let go of the things of the world as a person is called to do so and not rely on the world for a livelihood. We should depend on God for everything. He will make the opportunities to live. We should be satisfied with having our basic needs met and shun excess. When we acquire excess, then we should use it to benefit the poor, the needy and the downtrodden according to the dictates of God, not men.

Answer 6

To achieve everything our Heavenly Father would like us to achieve requires that we consecrate everything we have to His purposes. This is more than just giving money, it's our hearts and efforts as well.

The prophet Joseph Smith said the following:

"a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation;" (Lectures on Faith, 6:7).

Here is a great article on consecration: http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=06268d00422fe010VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1.

Answer 7

right after '"No man can serve two masters ... Ye cannot serve God and mammon'" the Scripture talks about not worrying about anything. it means God will provide for you so you need not worry about anything. it's just telling you that you shouldn't worry too much about the earthly life. God will provide. as for the 'giving all you have to the poor'...
I think it means all in general that you'll just be willing to use your belongings to help the poor. sort of like, you should have the heart to give whenever someone is in need.

Answer 8

If I gave all my money to the poor then I'll be poor. Will I then get my money back? Money is not a master, money pays the rent, buys food, clothes our family, medical bills. Maybe in biblical times you could live off the land but it's hard these days. Try it here in New York.

Answer 9

I have to come to the aid of the Christians on this one

If they gave all they had then they would be the poor not that many of them aren't already poor. Most of them are the same as the rest of us, 2 working parents, single moms. recovering addicts , welfare & food stamp, rich & the list goes on.
So it not the question of if they love god more than money, because they believe they need both to survive and thats their believe & choice.

Answer 10

I agree the rich should help the poor out more. I only make average income and when ever i see a charity i try to give them as much as I am able

Answer 11

I believe that God allows us some "room" in this area.
He knows what we are capable of giving - and He knows when we are not giving.
Giving does not always refer to money... there are many ways to give.
The verse you have quoted speaks more to me about faith-
If one has a genuine faith is God then the giving just comes naturally.