I mean like a cruise or even to own a summer home, a cabin for vacations or a seasonal camper? What are your thoughts on this. I tend to think they are not right in the eyes of the Lord. Convince me I'm wrong.
2007-08-22 14:33:52 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Dark N - I'm not a dude.
2007-08-22 14:50:28 · update #1
I didn't mean that we as Christians couldn't take vacations or relax. I said EXTRAVEGANT vacations.
2007-08-23 02:17:47 · update #2
Luke chapter 12, and chapter 14, and also Acts 2 and 4 should be evidence that your suspicions are correct. Our excess belongings and income are supposed to go to help the poor. Once you've paid all your regular bills, if you waste money on extravagant vacations and luxury items you don't need, you are failing in your duty. That's not to say you should never take a vacation. But it does mean that good stewardship of our possessions means supplying the poor to the best of our ability - so that our community has "all things in common."
2007-08-22 14:44:41 · answer #1 · answered by Ahavah B 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A few months ago my husband and i were considering a time share vacation package. In the end we decided that it was not a good financial move. But i remember considering in my heart all during this time that apart from my enjoyment of a place to regroup and spend some quality time with my family and in nature to get away from the mad rush to be with the Lord and be renewed and restored, this kind of situation would also be a help to the brothers and sisters where i meet as well.
Actually had it been at all financially feasible I would have done it just for the sake of all the brothers and sisters who needed a break. Some to have a private time to mend their marriages or for fathers to go fishing with their daughters..mothers to walk on the sand with her son and teach him the value of being a man of steel and velvet.
I personally do not agree with any kind of excess and In a lot of ways the Lord has to regulate us inwardly. One thing i did come away from this whole experience was this. If I did not have the complete peace of the Lord after considering the matter of an expensive vacation for a little while then I was not going to go through with it.
This should be our sounding board. The Lord in us:)
He surely has feelings and thoughts and preferences regarding EVERYTHING in our lives. From how we speak to our spouses and kids to how we vacation and spend money:)
Good question sister
always your sis
sandy
2007-08-22 22:09:33 · answer #2 · answered by Broken Alabaster Flask 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i don't ever remember reading in the Bible that it's wrong to take a cruise, own a summer home, etc. i do remember that the first miracle Jesus made was to turn water into wine so a new bride and groom could celebrate their wedding. i think that says a lot about what God thinks about celebrations and enjoy life. He also commands us to keep the Sabbath, the day of rest. what is a vacation, but a chance to rest?
you may not feel comfortable taking a vacation, but i feel closer to God when i get out of my routine and see other places. God has filled this world with beautiful scenery, buildings, people, etc. why not take a few weeks and enjoy His goodness?
2007-08-22 21:41:48 · answer #3 · answered by Julie N 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
weeeellllll - i don't think it is wrong for all. okay - take a man or woman who worked hard, owned a company, struggled for years, and is using what they have now to help others. i wouldn't begrudge them a vacation home or travel. they have worked hard to get what they have.
on the other hand, when you are talking about television evangelists, it's another story for me. just think about the way these people not only make their money, but appropriate that money.... Kenneth Copeland has a fleet of million dollar aircraft. i don't think that is right - i don't see how it has been earned.
so here is the rub. when the tv guys and gals start preaching the Name It and Claim It theology, people start to be judged by what the Lord is "blessing them with." Suddenly, those who are ill or poor are encouraged to give to be blessed.
How can those tv people sleep at night?
hope that makes sense.....
2007-08-22 21:45:39 · answer #4 · answered by yarn whore 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Where do you draw the line?
I think owning a computer and asking questions on YA is extravagant. You're just showing off your wealth and being lazy.
When we do things just to be seen by others, it's wrong. If we buy a big house or a fast car just so people think we're cool, that's having a false sense of who we are.
But the same goes for false humility. When we worry more about what other people think about what we do and trying to make sure we don't do anything that others might think looks unspiritual, we're doing exactly the same thing.
There will always be someone less fortunate than you to whom your life seems extravagant. There will always be others better off than you to whom your life seems like filth and squalor. Quit worrying about what other people will think and do what you think is best.
2007-08-22 21:41:21 · answer #5 · answered by Craig R 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I believe that if the Lord has blessed you financially to where you can afford to take vacations like that, I don't see a problem with it, as long as your not showing off your money like that.
Because if the Lord blesses you, I don't think he will be offended if you want to take a nice vacation with your family.
2007-08-22 21:57:39 · answer #6 · answered by Bryan M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that the root question would be: Is the the Christian defined by extravagance in his/her lifestyle or are they simply enjoying the blessings of God's sovereign provision to occasionally enjoy a time of relaxation and rest from their labors.(both practically and in the Lord)
2007-08-22 22:10:59 · answer #7 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A person should not be judged guilty just because he can afford to go on an extravagant vacation--look upon his heart."The poor will always be among you." Jesus said that.
Having money is not a sin--The love(lust) of money is the sin. God will judge the intent of the heart--we only see the activity.
2007-08-22 21:52:33 · answer #8 · answered by j.wisdom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We can enjoy the fruits of our labor.
We were not meant to be slaves. This world and everything on and in it were meant to be enjoyed.
There are limitations.
Depending on your meaning of extravagance, even the computer or simple objects of everyday life could be considered "not right".They are attainable. If you cannot appreciate them today, maybe tomorrow.
Get A Grip
2007-08-22 21:50:05 · answer #9 · answered by Get A Grip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While people are suffering and dying in the Darfur genocide, and 30,000 children die A DAY over poverty-related conditions, 10,000 CONFIRMED over hunger do you think so?
What would Jesus probably from what he said in the past say to do?
Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. Ezekiel 16:49 NIV
Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Sell your posessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33, NIV
"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. Mark 10:21 KJV
2007-08-22 21:43:43 · answer #10 · answered by advait0 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋