Wealth in Christianity

[GoldenEagle]

I feel that a lot of times some Christians preach against the wealthy out of envy or as excuse to not be financially educated themselves. This is just the same as what is happening in the general public, blaming their own failures on hardworking wealthy people, and trying to bring them down to their level by either force distribution or other means. Also being wealthy doesn't just having money (paper money is just an illusion really), it means having control or ownership. I would not think it would be wise for Christian company owners to sell all their assets, when they could make more positive impact representing Christian values through their company. 

 

There are preachers that preach against the rich and wealthy, then when they need financial support turns right back to those same people for assistance.

 

I agree with you UDX. I can't tell if people are envious or simply lack the motivation/education to better their situation. Or perhaps if there are other factors such as illness or disability. 

I agree having money doesn't mean you're wealthy. It really depends on your net worth. Someone may have a nice house, cars, boat, beach house, etc. but be neck deep in debt.

God bless,

GE

 

[GoldenEagle]

Sorry Enoob I don't really understand your style of posting. Really just get bits and pieces.

Possible to repost with maybe 3-4 sentences as  a summary of your ideas?

God bless,

GE

 

[GoldenEagle]

I hope you don't luke to show that you ought not to work or plan for the future. God require everyone to work ever sense He created us starting with the first job in the Eden. It is irresponsible to not plan for the future, the key is not to worry about it and put it in God's hands. I am quiet confused at what point you are trying to make.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ESV

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

 

I agree God wants people to work and plan for the future... But not worry about the future. Some believe that being poor is a sign of honor or being "more spiritual" among some Christian circles. However, Scripture doesn't match up with that idea. In fact Scripture says that work is a good thing. I'm also having a hart time understanding Enoob's posts...

Proverbs 10:4

Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

 

Proverbs 12:14

A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, and the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.

Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slack hand will be put to forced labor.

 

Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat.

 

Proverbs 13:11

Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it.

Proverbs 14:23

In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 18:9

He also who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys.

Proverbs 20:4

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing.

Proverbs 21:5

The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

Proverbs 21:25

The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, for his hands refuse to work;

Proverbs 22:29

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

Proverbs 24:27

Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.

Proverbs 24:30-34

I passed by the field of the sluggard and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,” Then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man.

Proverbs 28:19

He who tills his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.

 

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

 

1 Thessalonians 2:9

For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

 

 

 

God bless,

GE

[enoob57]

In the very simplest form God has said-

Matt 6:24

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

KJV

The Lord has laid out His value system by that which He 'IS' keeping and that which He

'IS' throwing away- the question that really arises is how can you devote your time, energy

as life into something that passes away and expect to have reward in that newness of time

where all things are made new?

Rev 3:18

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and

white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not

appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

KJV

all things are Spiritually appraised as the above is not gold of this place but a true

representation of Spiritual essence of value without end... 'God's Value'

All things of 1^st creation is passing away and all things will be made new!

Rev 21:5

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto

me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

KJV

When you combine the truth above with the truth from the below passage

2 Cor 5:17

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

KJV

all that we hope for and all that we are does not resemble the here and now! That's why

we are aliens to this place and we hate it here for we are not of this place... so many have

fallen off and made this place their home and have made peace in a place of warfare...

1 John 3:2

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but

we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

KJV

Bottom line the realities of 1^st born life has nothing in common with 2^nd born life as you

cannot walk in the flesh and keep the produce but only in The s(S)pirit and that produce is kept... Love, Steven

Edited November 6, 2014 by enoob57

[enoob57]

I hope you don't luke to show that you ought not to work or plan for the future. God require everyone to work ever sense He created us starting with the first job in the Eden. It is irresponsible to not plan for the future, the key is not to worry about it and put it in God's hands. I am quiet confused at what point you are trying to make.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ESV

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

 

I agree God wants people to work and plan for the future... But not worry about the future. Some believe that being poor is a sign of honor or being "more spiritual" among some Christian circles. However, Scripture doesn't match up with that idea. In fact Scripture says that work is a good thing. I'm also having a hart time understanding Enoob's posts...

Proverbs 10:4

Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

 

Proverbs 12:14

A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, and the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.

Proverbs 12:24

The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slack hand will be put to forced labor.

 

Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat.

 

Proverbs 13:11

Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it.

Proverbs 14:23

In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 18:9

He also who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys.

Proverbs 20:4

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing.

Proverbs 21:5

The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

Proverbs 21:25

The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, for his hands refuse to work;

Proverbs 22:29

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

Proverbs 24:27

Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.

Proverbs 24:30-34

I passed by the field of the sluggard and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,” Then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man.

Proverbs 28:19

He who tills his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.

 

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

 

1 Thessalonians 2:9

For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

 

 

 

God bless,

GE

The key to understanding living is not death and that which passes away BUT eternal life

and that is the living spoken of above in your post verse quote.

Matt 16:25-26

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole

world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

KJV

We see this fleshed out in Paul's accounting here

1 Cor 4:9-14

9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to

death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We

are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong;

ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger,

and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; 12 And

labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we

suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and

are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 14 I write not these things to shame

you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

KJV

The question in this is if they are working with their hands why are they hungry,

naked, without place? There are only two solutions 1. They didn't charge for their

labors or 2. They gave their substance away. Love, Steven

[udx]

In the very simplest form God has said-

Matt 6:24

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

KJV

The Lord has laid out His value system by that which He 'IS' keeping and that which He

'IS' throwing away- the question that really arises is how can you devote your time, energy

as life into something that passes away and expect to have reward in that newness of time

where all things are made new?

 

 

Let me get this straight. I had to ask you, what is your interpretation of serving a master? What is your interpretation of hating the other master? Please reply in your own words. From what you said you imply we can't 'devote' our time in things that pass away, does that mean, in your thinking that we should disengage from the world, relationships, acquiring skills, holding a job that earn us a living...etc?

Do you believe that everyone should quit their jobs and go into full time ministry then?

[enoob57]

These things UDX you need to be working out with The Lord-> it is to Him you give an account of

yourself! I haven't done anything except walk with you in Scripture... hate is the letting go of

something forever with the absolute reason in ones heart of no worth to return to!

 

Do you believe that everyone should quit their jobs and go into full time ministry then?

If you are Christ's you are the ministry Love, Steven Edited November 7, 2014 by enoob57

[enoob57]

Sorry Enoob I don't really understand your style of posting. Really just get bits and pieces.

Possible to repost with maybe 3-4 sentences as  a summary of your ideas?

God bless,

GE

1. Value can only be ascertained spiritually by God's Word...

2. The world and all that is in it is set aside for complete destruction by fire...

3. That which remains forever is for God's pleasure and glory...

4. We must commit ourselves to God in all things that give Him pleasure and glory

    as possessions purchased by His Son's Own Blood...

Edited November 7, 2014 by enoob57

[1x1is1]

I have heard it said many times, even by folks that I consider well versed . . . . . . . money is the root of all evil.  But the actual correct way to recite it is. . . .  .

   1st Tim 6:10. . . . .   For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and have pierced themselves through wit many sorrows.

[appy]

Note that Jesus did not tell Zacchaeus to give up any of his wealth. Zacchaeus volunteered half of what he had. The problem with wealth is when a person makes it the “only” goal in life. Being poor does not guarantee one will be moral in thoughts and actions.

 

Joseph, called Barnabas, Dorcas, Cornelius, Sergius Paulus, and Lydia are just a few names in the new testament that had wealth. The thing is, these people shared with others and didn't hoard their wealth.

 

Luke 19

But 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.”

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

 

Matthew 6 :24

 

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.