Why don't Christians give all of their belongings to the poor and live in communes?

Question

....as Jesus and his disciples did in the Gospel, and as Peter instructed them to do in Book of Acts? If Eternal Life awaits you, isn't it worth it to live in poverty while serving others for a few decades?

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Answer 1

i did that during hurricaine katrina relief. there wasn't a christian among us, yet the people were the most christ-like. they were hard-working hippies that ran an independant free soup kitchen for the residents of waveland, mississippi.

the christians that ran the supply tent next to us sure did talk smack and call the cops on us for smoking weed.

that's christ-like.... right?

Answer 2

Many Christians do share their wealth with others...however, Jesus and the disciples were practicing JUDAISM , and not Christianity. Those instructions to sell all you had were to the nation ISRAEL, and not the instructions to the church, the Body of Christ today.

Scripture says if you dont work you dont EAT....so it encourages an honest days work for a days pay.

Hey, with the way most people use the Bible...a verse here and a verse there...its no wonder people are so confused. Here are some other verses you will find in the Bible.

"Judas went out and hung himself"

"Go thou and do likewise"

"Whatsoever you do , do it quickly"

Now, these verses ARE in the Bible , but not in the same CONTEXT. The way people read the Bible today, Im surprised they havent strung these THREE verses together and asked why everyone doesnt go out and hang themselves.

Folks, The Bible has a PLOT, and REAL characters, and and author and a REAL ending. Its a story of Gods plan to re establish His rightful rule and reign on earth, and in heaven, and where WE fit into that plan.

Answer 3

Yes, a lot of christians do that. A lot of humanistic catalysts have been spiritual.

Think of people like Mother Teresa and hundreds of such individuals, who live and serve in isloated places. Many christians give freely of their income for such causes.

For example, if a Christian tithes, people would accuse the person or the church of being legalistic and make false assumptions that this money is being used to further some preacher's wealth.

Now, you don't have a right to judge them any more than they have a right to judge you.

Answer 4

I'm not a christian, but I do believe in helping other people. However, I believe that you can't really help others unless you are helping yourself as well. Ok. So let's say that you do sell everything that you have or give it away. You MAY end up helping a few people, maybe even a few dozen; certainly not many more than that. However, if you always continue to gain for yourself, and simply give part of what you gain, think of how many millions of people you could end up helping! Not only by your self, but think of the people you'd inspire to help others along with you! No one would really be inspired by a person who gave everything away and was now poor & struggling.

: )

Answer 5

Why don't you? Because non-believers are also known to help the poor. So you must have done it already to set a good example, right?

God doesn't command us to do that. However, we do give to the collection at church (voluntarily, not by coersion or force) and our church does a lot of great works with that money.

I could give you a whole list of benevolence that we've done. But I see no need to justify anything to you, since you are not in a position to judge; only God is.

Answer 6

Hello,
Simply put ......because that might not be where God wants them to be. For example, maybe God wants someone to retain means and resources so that maybe they could adopt a child from an abusive family. Or to be able to donate their resources to a charity that does God approved good works. There is a plethora of reasons why that would not be indicated for ALL Christians (or anyone else for that matter).
In Christ, Mike

Answer 7

I think but am not completely positive that it has to do with a verse in I believe Paul(don't quote me on that part) that says something along the lines of Where so ever is your treasure there also is your heart. Meaning if your treasured object/ideal is material there is your passion/value but if it is God and religon there is your value/passion/obediece etc. Probably not a great explanation but roughly that would be the point. Also the whole Do unto others bit!

Answer 8

If those "wealthy Christians" do no longer stay as they could desire to, then they're going to could desire to respond to to God interior the afterlife. As Christians, it incredibly is our accountability to grant to charity and to church, nevertheless we are no longer obligated to grant all of our money to the poor. That being mentioned, no longer all Christians do as they could desire to. that doesn't make all Christians hypocrits. Hypocrits stay one way together as watching for each physique else to stay yet differently. Ref: Al Gore, Hollywood Actors, and all politicians.

Answer 9

Christians are to use the material blessings they have been given in a wise manner, and this does not include recklessly handing it out to every heathen vagabond on the street.

We are to do good to all men, but first and foremost give benevolence to the household of the faith, namely... if we have been blessed with excess, we give it to other good christians friends, should they legitamiately need it and ask; as opposed to squandering our children or familys inheritances:

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." - Galatians 6:10.

Answer 10

We have to be wise, Jesus was asking them to give everything and follow Him in that specific case. But they still worked, they still earned money (they were fishers, you know), because they had to support themselves. He told us to share, but we're not supposed to just give everything and be miserable, that way we won't be able to help people in need. The truth is that we have to help wisely, that's what I think.