Why are most Christians not at all followers of Jesus?

Question

"In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."

How many Christians can truly call themselves followers of Christ. Let's face it, they earn money and consume and consume and want more and more. They clearly are not following what Jesus said.

Even by Luke

Luke 19
8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
9Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Christians should give up half of what they have and need no more or the path to salvation is lost. How many Christians pay the bills and then give the rest away? None I bet. How many hvave paid back 4 times to those they

I eagerly await the human interpretation of this to fit capitalism and consumerism!!

The Christian silence is deafening!!!!!

goinupru, who gave you the right to interpret what Jesus said and modify it to suit your needs in a modern world. If Jesus said it it must be true. jesus doesn't lie after all. You are the one who is trying to interpret something that is very clear. You are warping it to try to justify your greed.

Jesus was clearly against material wealth. Did he not say that it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven? Maybe I read that somewhere else! Maybe it was Grimms Fairytales.

amazonbeauty38 Zaccheus was not a disciple but a follower. He gave up half!!!

Answer 1

For many Christianity is not a way of life. It's a family habit or an insurance policy, or a crutch.

Answer 2

I don't think you're grasping the difference between a follower and a disciple. There are many, like myself and some of the people that have responded to you that go about day to day life reporting to work, buying groceries, clothes or toys for the kids, that give their tithes and offerings consistently because that is what is expected of a follower, believeing and living the teachings of God our Father does not mean we have to live a desolate life. It means we have to be responsible with what God provides for us.
However, there are many who DO give up EVERYthing they have to go and do the work of the Lord, they are disciples, in todays age we call them missionaries. But even back in the time the scriptures were written that difference what evident, the people that followed Jesus (i.e. walked with Him each and every place He went, slept when He slept, ate when He ate etc) were His disciples and these were the ones that Christ asked they give up everything to go with Him, it makes sense when you consider the crusade they were on. But the people that Christ touched, visited, healed ... the people that believed and followed ... they lived everyday lives that involved working and providing for their family much the same as we do today.
Anyway ... I think between Slayer, Dunc and Advice you've pretty much gotten a good base of information applicable to your question ... I applaud them and praise God for the knowledge of Him that they've left with you ... I am prayerful that these words will touch you deep within your heart where that spot is waiting to be opened to the glory and mercy of Christ our Savior (that is if you haven't already opened up). Continue to seek, for the glory to be found is so immense and intense that you will wonder why you didn't look for it sooner. Go with God ... You know you want to!!!

Answer 3

Well maybe taking one verse out of the whole bible works for you, but it doesn't make a lot to sense to most intelligent people. Jesus may well ask us to give up everything if we are putting our love of things ahead of our love for him, but it's the principle that matters. I may well also agree that not all Christians have a generous heart, I guess they will be all the poorer (in spirit) for holding on to their wealth. It's not having money and possessions that is the problem, it's what we do with them. And nobody has ever claimed that Christians are perfect, in fact true Christians are more aware of how imperfect they are than many atheists. A Christian, by the way, is not someone who follows a lot of rules, a Christian is someone who has accepted Jesus as their saviour. So wrong on your theological starting point, wrong on your assumption that all Christians are hypocrites and wrong on your philosophy of wealth equals bad Christianity. Better luck next time!

Answer 4

You, as most people, have read Gods Words to a NATION under a different gospel at a different time, and tried to apply the instructions given to THEM to christians today.

Christians arent under any such instruction. We follow the Risen Christ, and OUR specific instructions are found in Romans thru Philemon.

Now stop being such a wise assumer of things you clearly dont understand.

Answer 5

Let me ask you this if all christians gave away they're money to God and his people wouldn't it continue back around full circle to where it came from? God certainly doesn't want us to give our hard earned money to non-believers. Instead he instructs up to give 10% of our earnings and to give offerings from our hearts as we have been blessed and lastly to be good stewards of our money and not waste it on meaningless junk. Some christians do give up all they have to be missionaries because that's God's calling on THEIR life. If you want to put a question on here to know more about God that's wonderful but to post something to point fingers at christians saying we are'nt doing what we are supposed to make sure you have your facts straight first.

Answer 6

Do you know why Zacchaeus gave up half of his money?
Also what Jesus said does not mean that a Christian cannot have material riches. In the first century C.E., for instance, wealthy Christians were associated with the congregation at Ephesus. The apostle Paul did not instruct Timothy to advise these rich brothers specifically to divest themselves of all material things, but he wrote: “Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things not to be high-minded, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment; to work at good, to be rich in fine works, to be liberal, ready to share, safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, in order that they may get a firm hold on the real life.” (1Ti 6:17-19) Thus these wealthy Christians had to watch their attitude, keeping riches in their proper place and using them generously to aid others.
It would be wrong to conclude that the Bible condemns money itself or any of its basic uses. The Bible shows that money provides a practical defense against poverty and its attendant troubles, enabling people to procure necessities. King Solomon wrote: “Wisdom is for a protection the same as money is for a protection.” And: “Bread is for the laughter of the workers, and wine itself makes life rejoice; but money is what meets a response in all things.”—Ecclesiastes 7:12; 10:19.

The proper use of money is approved by God. For example, Jesus said: “Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches.” (Luke 16:9) This includes contributing toward the advancement of the true worship of God, for we definitely should want God as our Friend. Solomon himself, following the example of his father, David, contributed large amounts of money and valuables toward the building of Jehovah’s temple. Another Christian mandate is to give material assistance to those in need. “Share with the holy ones according to their needs,” said the apostle Paul. He added: “Follow the course of hospitality.” (Romans 12:13)

Answer 7

Looking in from the outside, the docrines of the christians bares no relationship with the preachings of Jesus. So if their church doesn`t teach it why should they do it.

Answer 8

You don,t have to believe in anyone to live by the ten commandments.These are good rules to live by.

Answer 9

They are forgiven no matter what they do and will just wait until judgement day comes.

Answer 10

Why can't all babies walk at ten months?


















Answer: Because they haven't learned how to yet.