Does God REALLY want us to have money?

Question

if so...why did he tell that one dude in the bible to
sell everything and then follow him?

Answer 1

Here's what I think.

For one. God doesn't need money to do anything, nor does God need US to do anything. God wants us to be part of the creative process, the love process, and the miracle process, to share in the joy that those things bring. Sometimes it takes a bit of cash to do those things...and it also takes money to live in this world, just to do ordinary things. If we were on a barter system, I suppose things would be different. But at the same time that God insists on faith and helping take care of one another, we are also expected to take care of many of our own needs...in fact, it is expected to take reasonable measures to make sure you can earn money. But this is in the context of a whole life, including our relationships, and our relationship with God.

I think this speaks to the idea that God wants us to have our priorities straight. I think that is what tithing is all about. Giving ten percent...your first fruits...to God isn't even for God. It's for YOU, because when you do tithe, you are starting to get your financial priorities in order and miracles can be worked in YOUR life. Tithing is basically your commitment that money isn't so important to you that you can't give some of it away. As we know in psychology, the way to gain control often times is to surrender it.

This is why the man in the Bible who couldn't sell everything and follow Jesus was lost, even though he had all this stuff. It wasn't the money that corrupted him, it was his attitude toward money, power, control, and surrendering in faith that his needs would be met (maybe even his monetary fortunes rebuilt) even if he gave all his money away. Contrast that with the ease of faith of a poor man, who is very used to being humbled, asking for help, and allowing his needs to be met on the fly in a way that is out of his control.

Another thing, while I don't subscribe to prosperity doctrine, as in having money as proof that you are blessed...it does say in the Bible that what you do for God gets returned to you abundantly. Luke 6:38 "Give, and (gifts) will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into the pouch formed by the bosom of your robe and used as a bag. For with the measure you deal out with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others, it will be measured back to you."

Another way of saying you reap what you sow. Your work efforts, especially when dedicated to God, are blessed.

Answer 2

Selling and giving to the poor is an attitude not a direct command. Its a little like cutting your hand off if it doesn't behave. The Bible doesn't actually mean we do this but highlights the significance of such issues. You could not afford the Internet if you took your exegesis as objective reality and all Christian's would have missing limbs. Money is necessary but not everything. The Bible says, Wisdom is the principle thing so get wisdom but with your getting get understanding. Also the Bible says, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Answer 3

If God DOESN'T want is to have money, then He's doing a terrible job with things.

Actually, throughout the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament), God promises material wealth to those who are righteous.

Personally,knowing that money is simply a medium of trade that we humans cam up with, I don't think what God thinks about it matters one way or the other.

Money is a good thing. You are paid money by others because it is a symbol of how highly they value your work. They in turn have money, because others values what they do.

Money is a symbol for the work we do, and the value others put on it.

Answer 4

It was first put on the 2 cent piece during the civil war as the North thought that god had sided with them against the South. Interesting because Lincoln was openly anti-Christian and probably an atheist (also the first Republican), slowly the term made its way onto our other coinage (Paper money that actually worked and traded at face value first came about in the Civil War too). In 1907 Teddy Roosevelt, another Republican, ordered "In God We Trust" removed from our newly designed coinage, an angry Democratic congress had it restored and required by law the next year.

Answer 5

Well, the reason He told that guy that was because money *was* that guy's idol. He wants us to leave behind our idols and follow Him. If that guy's idol had been going to collecting rocks, He would have told him to leave his rock collection behind and follow Him.

That said, the prosperity gospel is utter garbage. It's not that God doesn't *want* to bless us --- it is that His highest blessing for us is our sanctification, and for a lot of people, money gets in the way of that. I mean think of it --- why *do* we suffer trials? Because suffering is the way that we are made into the image of Christ. Riches and happiness often lead to relying on ourselves. That's why it's not beneficial for most people and why most people aren't rich. The reason Jesus said it was harder for a rich man to get into heaven than a camel through the eye of a needle is because when we have everything we need, we become utterly independent and proud. The central message of the gospel is admitting that you are poor, blind, wretched and naked --- like Jesus says in revelation, and admitting that you need a saviour.

Also, to people who say that if you're godly you'll be rich --- I pose this question. Who was more godly than Christ? And yet, by His own words, the son of man had no place to lay His head.

Answer 6

Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all he had and to follow Him to show him that he had an issue with greed. Matthew 19:16-22

Answer 7

God has nothing against you having money, if you live in this world you have to have money,; If you follow Jesus ,you don't need money, God will supply all your needs. God takes care of his people. In the new world there will be no need for money, every one will have every thing they need.

Answer 8

If you love money than that is not good. But then otherwise yes. God tells us that we need to give him 10% of our income. That would be called a tithe. It's actaully not alot. If you had $1 than you would need to give 1 cent. You can give to Him by giving it to evangalistic companies. Like, Global Mission or It is Written.

Answer 9

That one dude, loved his money more than God and therefore had to give it up to take hold of Jesus. God wants us to be blessed financially but a man who loves money more than God or others is a slave to money. He is not free nor is He "rich."

There's nothing wrong with having money, as long as it doesn't have you!!

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ag5UTdvi1jz56jvoEIxf.mTsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071114140606AAm2WDm

Answer 10

yes (as a means to an end -- i.e., we are to work, earn money, and use that money to pay our bills, and to help others).

We are not to worship our money/wealth. The young ruler had money/wealth as his God (his highest priority in life). Jesus said that God is to be first in our lives. Since money was the young man's god, Jesus told the young man to get rid of that God and then come and follow him.

Cordially,
John
http://www.GodSci.org