I was reading a story the other day about a Christian family who suffered financial ruin, but still praised God because God upheld them in their time of crisis. But why did God permit this family to suffer financial ruin in the first place? I'm sure that they prayed to him in their time of need. I believe in God, but just wonder why God allows Christians or devout Jews (etc) to suffer.
2007-09-06 11:49:07 · 35 answers · asked by sokrates 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because God does not hand out money.
I know...personally, that this is true.
If God wanted me to be rich, I'd be a billionaire and sitting in Hawaii right now.
2007-09-06 11:59:36 · answer #1 · answered by Meatwad 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I cannot answer why God allows things to happen in a person's life- however I can say what I think may be happening here. God told us that we would suffer. Life as a Christian does not mean no suffering. A matter of fact, Christ said, "we have to take up our cross and follow Him". Why God allowed this particular family to suffer financial ruin, I cannot say, but it seems to me that it was used of God to show the world that people can still trust God when He takes all the "stuff" away. When Christians are wealthy and healthy- believe me- we can be as selfish and proud as a non- Christian but when God chooses, for whatever to cause a Christian to lose their health or wealth then the true nature of their Christianity comes out. God has personally taught be through a chronic illness that causes pain every day of my life, that His grace is sufficient, and if one person comes to know the Lord because of my illness, and if God is glorified in it- then this is his purpose- we aren't put on this earth to be free from suffering, we are put on this earth to look to Christ for forgiveness of sin, and to live to glorify Him, no matter what state our finances or health is.
2007-09-06 11:56:41 · answer #2 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God doesn't allow people to suffer. People and the devil is the cause of suffering. You like so many more people are confused, or misguided. People who suffer a financial struggle, are most the ones living beyond their means, keeping up with the Joneses kind of people. They fail to look at the big overall picture before they go into debt. The devil sees an opportunity, and moves upon it. God had nothing to do with it. God is not going to do anything for anyone that they can do for themselves. He is also NOT going to take away anything one might acquire on their own. All that is the devil.
2007-09-06 12:06:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't believe in a god, and I do not know the exact situation these people dealt with, but I'm going to say their troubles arose from not being very responsible with their money. Perhaps they bought too much of a house or vehicle, maybe they have too many children that providing for them is difficult. Let's say that I believe there is a god, hypothetically. I would not believe that the god would be there to bail me out of bad situations that I most likely put myself in. Tough and unfair stuff happens in life. I say it's because sh*t happens, I'm sure theists believe it is because their god is teaching them a lesson.
2007-09-06 11:55:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God isn't "allowing" anything to happen, things don't work like that. It's hard to believe you haven't figured that out already. Haven't you noticed that it's mostly wicked people who have lots of money?
God is not a vending machine. You can't order something up and expect it to appear. Life is difficult for just about everyone. It's our job to do our best and learn from our hardships. God doesn't owe us a single thing.
2007-09-06 11:58:30 · answer #5 · answered by caterpillar girl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
go to genesis and find the story of Joseph the first son of Rachel the 11th son of Jacob. The story starts at his birth Genesis ch 37
he was sold into slavery by his brothers, went to prison under a false charge but then was made a Govenor over food storage in Egypt. He still served his God
2007-09-06 11:59:52 · answer #6 · answered by Tommiecat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason that He allows any kind of suffering --- to either bring people to salvation or bring them closer to Him. Humans in their frailty need trials in order to keep them humbly relying on God --- and in all honesty what trial do you think keeps you relying on God more than any other (except for maybe healthy issues?)? Financial woes. There is a reason that Christians in poorer countries so often seem to live so much more abundant Christian lives than those of us in rich countries --- because they have to rely on God for *everything* --- including their literal daily bread. Humbly relying on God for our needs is what encourages growth. Why do you think that Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get to heaven?
Because the very basis of Christianity --- acknowledging that you need a saviour --- is often very difficult to attain when someone already thinks he has everything (i.e. financial wealth) and thus doesn't realize that he is, according to scripture "poor, naked, and blind". Wealth gives the illusion that you don't need God. I think that's why God allows these kinds of trials. He never wastes a single one of our tears, and never allows us to suffer except that it makes us more like Him.
2007-09-06 11:56:13 · answer #7 · answered by KL 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, we could make some hypothetical guesses like maybe their money would've eventually led them away from God and to prioritize materials first in their lives. Or maybe we could guess that this will lead to their stronger faith in God, and maybe it could lead them to create a greater impact on this world. I'm sure it plays some sort of role in God's plans for them.
Remember, suffering draws us closer to God; it is in comfort that we drift away. Think about that, and I'm sure you'd agree with that based on your own experiences in your life.
2007-09-06 11:56:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because God gifted us with Free Will...and some people are too stupid to use it properly. God can't help your bank balance if you're an idiot. He can only stand by and roll his eyes and wait for you to realize what a dumbazz you are, before you go crying to him for help. You know, kind of like your parents.
God is not a babysitting service.
Its like asking why an adult's parents "let him" get run over by a Mack truck, after teaching him to cross the road properly 30 years before.
2007-09-06 11:54:19 · answer #9 · answered by allusian_fields 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"But why did God permit this family to suffer financial ruin in the first place?"
because they couldn't handle their money. that's why they were in financial ruin. their situation had nothing to do with God (meaning it wasn't God's fault). it has everything to do with budgeting.
2007-09-06 11:51:46 · answer #10 · answered by Ms. Lady 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋