bible question?

Question

If you currently possess a TV, computer, music stereo, games console or a bunch of them, I ask why? Doesn't Luke 12:33 say you should donate them to charity to the needy?

God is not commanding Christians to sell everything, he's just saying that following God is more important than worldly possessions.

Wait a sec, I'm sure Jesus did command it in the bible? Or is this one of those interpretations?

Answer 1

Let's analyze this through the eyes of the modern world.

Let's say you give all you own, including TV, VCR, DVD, furniture to the poor. Now you have nothing, and the poor is now richer than you. Now should they give away what they now have to someone who is poor? Do you see this logic doesn't end.
On another scale, if the poor was continually given these things, would they have any reason to work?
I understand giving food to help those in need, but giving luxury items would have the adverse effect on many families.
My wife and I gave quite a bit of food to a family in need. We kindly asked them about church (they said they were believers) but they made every excuse to avoid contact anymore. We did what we could but some refuse to be humble by saying thank you.
The issue is the rich man when he came running to Jesus. The rich man found out he was more concerned with his possessions than any treasures in heaven., When we exalt anything to or above the level where God is, it is an idol. We are to love the Lord God above all else.

Answer 2

Let start with 1 Cor 10:23-24. This is the only restrictions on Christians.

As a Christian, I believe that the bible is the word of God and that it interrupts itself. By providing context, you will find what Jesus taught.

As for Luke 12:33, you will need more verses for this to be place in context. But look at the verses 33-34, you get:

33Sell your possessions 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. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Note verse 33 does not have the word "all" before "your possessions. We should have our "treasure in heaven" because "where your treasure is, there will be your heart."

Answer: Treasure in heaven does not mean no possessions on earth.

Answer 3

Yes, following God is more important that worldly possessions and no I don't think if people have those items you mentioned that they should give them to the needy. What would someone who is needy do with these items?

I think that if you possess something that is a basic need and you know someone else would benefit from it, I think you should give it to them. We hoard too many things in our society. Those things that we think we will use some day, but never do.

I also think if we are making material things our god or we put them before serving God then YES, you should give them away.

Answer 4

Yes of course, God is more important. Christians could care less about their possessions as long as they have the Lord. Just because Christians also have TV's, computers, and stereos doesn't mean that they also don't donate to charity. I donate to charity every year. If God instructed me to, I would donate my computer, TV, stereo and everything else to charity. If you are able to purchase these expensive items for yourself, then there's no reason one shouldn't be donating to charity.

Answer 5

You should read the whole chapter and you would see the reasoning for that one verse. God was speaking a parable about a rich man who said he would tear down his barn and build a bigger one to hold all of his goods. God was trying to get through to the rich man basically you ain't gonna take it with you so why keep it. It also talks in the word about how it's easier for a camel to get thru the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter into the gates of Heaven. That is simply because rich people covet, and honor their money instead of honoring God. Anything you put before God becomes your god and that's what was being spoken here. Again, you don't have to live like a pauper to follow Jesus.

Answer 6

You are a person in your society, like a cell is in your body.
One cell cannot live on its own. Each cell is nourished by the other cells of your body.
Your left hand cannot scratch itself, or massage itself. You can do it only with your right hand. So your left hand is not made for itself, but for the other parts of your body.
Similarly you are in your society not for yourself, but for the rest of the people. Once you understand this philosophy, you will realize that other persons do more for you than you can do for yourself, and your well being depends on the well-being of the other people in the world. If the fishermen fall sick and cannot go to sea, you will not get fish.
If the poor children in your neighborhood suffers from say Tuberculosis, it makes good sense to buy medicines for them if you can afford it, because if you don't, your children will be the next to catch the disease.
But God has not told us to love others more than we love ourselves. We should first look after ourselves before we try to help somebody else. That means you should not jump into the water to save a drowning person if you do not know swimming yourselves. If you do, two people will drown instead of one.
So if you have something you don't use, but know that somebody else needs it more than you, you should give it to them.

Answer 7

I don't know.
But when I give things to charity, it's mostly consists of clothes, toys, etc.
But I always asked myself, do they have those electric plugs and all that facy stuff to support a TV, computer, music stereo, game consoles, etc?
If they did, I would've donated my electronics to charity, but I'm still doubting myself on whether or not they would even be able to use it, for it needs all those cables, plugs, etc.

Answer 8

What a stretch, no where does it say in the bible that you have to donate your things to the needy. We should give money or time to help those less fortunate.Luke 12:33 does not say that.

Answer 9

Jesus said He came so we can have Life, and have Life more abundantly. The Word talks against aesthetics, or denying oneself every kind of material pleasure. Self-denial is the denial of self. Egotism. Taking everything personal, and being a snob towards others. What good is giving all our material possessions, and never even giving a stranger a hello! See what I'm saying?

Answer 10

I am in the middle of giving my best Coats and sweaters to the poor. I know its getting cold, so they will definitely need it.Why would we give something we dont want? God said to give your best, with no flaws. My husband and I were just talking about taking poor people out to eat at an all you can each restuarante once a week, and increase many more times after that. I am very excited about doing what GOd is telling me to do. But there are people who disagree with what I am doing. But God said to put Him First.