Reaping wealth and material things.

[Whyme]

23 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

I live not far from Florida beach. It once was not counted among the higher class at the time but because of its location it had potential to cater to rich retirees. Not long  posterity got its grip, There were many who were jobless and poor. living in the woods. Hispanics who could not get paying jobs to feed their families. I had an acquaintance who had a heart for God and ministered to many of them by playing a guitar  singing Christian songs while serving meals money for. An other person with her supplied. food . They were humble and doing Gods work. 

One day my friend made the mistake of going to local churches for support. One in particular being one of the larger congrigations in town dove right in to be a part. They formed a board that got state funding . It was like putting  a noose around their neck. The board did not like   the religious format and got rid of the founders. Meantime the town prospered and wanting to attract more rich retiree's. The city leadership did not like the idea of a soup kitchen  being to close to town so they moved the soup kitchen to an out of the way spot .  Still lines of poor families came but there was not one word that ministered Christ except for saying a short prayer for starting. Most just wanted a quick meal and left. 

Now getting to poster complaint. The church people would show up in fine clothes and hairdos . When they came they were driving the finest makes cars and and flashy sports cars. They were show offs while the poor mothers and children in dirty clothes walked be with their plate. I was disgusted at the insensitivity. They could have dressed down and still look clean. Traditional church has done this. I know that there are many churches not like that but just making a point. I wonder if when we sand before the Lord will we be on grand display. 

Just saying.   

Interesting story. 

[Alive]

16 minutes ago, Chicken coop2 said:

I'm in a situation where it's quite possible that my life savings will run out and I will die homeless in the streets.

It happens all the time. 

 Not my first choice on how to go, but His will not mine. 

But, having been ready and willing and looking forward to going for most of my life makes it easier.  

And also enduring one day at a time and focusing on the kingdom of God helps immensely. 

_________________________________

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Social Security?

[Alive]

Just now, Chicken coop2 said:

Nope.  Most of my money was earned overseas.

I see--I'm sorry to hear that.

 

[debrakay]

A very long time ago when I came to know the Lord we had a heart to heart about possessions and we agreed that everything I owned truly belonged to Him.  I was only His earthly steward over all of the material possessions I was entrusted with whether they were big or small, a lot or a little.  Even my children were His and not truly mine.  For richer or for poorer I was His and all that I had was His.  He is always looking at our hearts, our servitude, our obedience.  We need to remember that Jesus was a homeless person in his time during the years he was on his mission to teach and to save the people. He understands living a life with no home, no food, no coat, no shoes, no money.  He knows the ridicule and hostility placed on the poor by the rich. Hebrews 4: 15-16 tells us; "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Jesus was always healing and preaching to the poor and the unlovely. He knew that many of the rich were hard of heart.

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 explains very well how we should be with all things the Lord entrusts us with in our lifetime.  If it is very little, do your best with it to help and bless others.  If it is very much, do your best with it to help and bless others.  Some of the wealthiest people in the world are the most unhappy people in the world.  Some of the poorest people in the world are the happiest people in the world.  It's never about what we possess here on earth, it is about our Godly possessions, faith, hope, love and a promise of eternal life with Him.    

[TheBlade]

First thank you for sharing WhyMe. Forgive me not to offend but who are you to tell anyone what we can and can't have? A song playing just before I was typing "Promise keeper".. YES and AMEN! The verses you posted are His word PRAISE GOD but you failed to post the promises. I just looked into them today. Some one asking for prayer about money so I again looked into what the Father promised. 

Last year I watch this preacher talking about how he is still treated by "BELIEVERS" about how he bought his house. Not one dime came from that big Church. Not from any salary from that Church. What child of God sees the faults the sins the mistakes first? For me Christ NEVER has. I till you a truth that has effected me so greatly. If He never does me I will not do it to HIS not mine HIS Children. Now if I knew something they did wrong and thats not by some word of mouth or gossip or what some worldly TV news station says. I would never post it.. I would only tell those I knew loved the lord and would PRAY FOR them. Would only speak words of life. 

When I read things posted I go looking for what GOOD have they done. Some open their doors al the time to the poor.. I don't. They give so much time to the poor.. I don't. Some in every storm earthquake fires they bring truck loads of things. I don't give anything.  Some give millions away...yet those SAME are made fun of for preaching about prosperity. Then wow all the money they spend over seas. yeah seems in some countries you need allot of money do to things. A few of them how many come to Christ? You don't know this? How long have you been talking about again GODS kids? Thousands every week. Me every week?  NONE! 

So you think GOD is going to focus and your sins or mistakes or what you did and didn't do for Him? Prosperity is promised to His people. Some of you never have to worry about. You doubt or you don't believe. God will never go against your will.

We don't know them. Don't go their Church walk with them pray with them. Try to remember WHY Christ died for YOU. And all that love and mercy and grace that GOD that JUDGE showed you as He set you free and you stood and watched Christ whom you didn't know at first walk up look at you with such love and took your place.

Show ALL not just the lost but ALL that love. Have faith that if YOU do something wrong or missing it or believing wrong.. have faith that if HE works all things for your good and what He started He will finish He will do for any Baptist RICH (never hear about those huh.. odd)all the way to word of faith. GOD will finish it. Pray for them.

Many believers are very rich some use it good some bad same with Churches.. SO WHAT? Your not their God.. NONE of them are here.... they can't defend them selfs

So look up what GOD says about money wealth prosperity. Not what I say or anyone else about HIS WORD! Not my word to tell YOU what GOD said. 

 

Sorry I went on so long. What good do they do? Bind the enemy in JESUS name if they are believing a lie. BUT KNOW if you know nothing then speak nothing! Or GOD will judge you as you have judged them. Since it was not in love.  

[Whyme]

.

 

 

Edited April 18, 2021 by Whyme

[Whyme]

5 hours ago, TheBlade said:

First thank you for sharing WhyMe. Forgive me not to offend but who are you to tell anyone what we can and can't have? A song playing just before I was typing "Promise keeper".. YES and AMEN! The verses you posted are His word PRAISE GOD but you failed to post the promises. I just looked into them today. Some one asking for prayer about money so I again looked into what the Father promised. 

Last year I watch this preacher talking about how he is still treated by "BELIEVERS" about how he bought his house. Not one dime came from that big Church. Not from any salary from that Church. What child of God sees the faults the sins the mistakes first? For me Christ NEVER has. I till you a truth that has effected me so greatly. If He never does me I will not do it to HIS not mine HIS Children. Now if I knew something they did wrong and thats not by some word of mouth or gossip or what some worldly TV news station says. I would never post it.. I would only tell those I knew loved the lord and would PRAY FOR them. Would only speak words of life. 

When I read things posted I go looking for what GOOD have they done. Some open their doors al the time to the poor.. I don't. They give so much time to the poor.. I don't. Some in every storm earthquake fires they bring truck loads of things. I don't give anything.  Some give millions away...yet those SAME are made fun of for preaching about prosperity. Then wow all the money they spend over seas. yeah seems in some countries you need allot of money do to things. A few of them how many come to Christ? You don't know this? How long have you been talking about again GODS kids? Thousands every week. Me every week?  NONE! 

So you think GOD is going to focus and your sins or mistakes or what you did and didn't do for Him? Prosperity is promised to His people. Some of you never have to worry about. You doubt or you don't believe. God will never go against your will.

We don't know them. Don't go their Church walk with them pray with them. Try to remember WHY Christ died for YOU. And all that love and mercy and grace that GOD that JUDGE showed you as He set you free and you stood and watched Christ whom you didn't know at first walk up look at you with such love and took your place.

Show ALL not just the lost but ALL that love. Have faith that if YOU do something wrong or missing it or believing wrong.. have faith that if HE works all things for your good and what He started He will finish He will do for any Baptist RICH (never hear about those huh.. odd)all the way to word of faith. GOD will finish it. Pray for them.

Many believers are very rich some use it good some bad same with Churches.. SO WHAT? Your not their God.. NONE of them are here.... they can't defend them selfs

So look up what GOD says about money wealth prosperity. Not what I say or anyone else about HIS WORD! Not my word to tell YOU what GOD said. 

 

Sorry I went on so long. What good do they do? Bind the enemy in JESUS name if they are believing a lie. BUT KNOW if you know nothing then speak nothing! Or GOD will judge you as you have judged them. Since it was not in love.  

Sorry for my last post, it lacked grace and patience. Look, this is just my opinion. I could say the same to you however. Is there anything you think is wrong? Do you ever speak up and say so? Who are you to tell anyone that?  

[Whyme]

1 Timothy 6:8  If we have food and [g]covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all [h]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, [j]perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I direct you in the presence of God, who [k]gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without [l]fault or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will [m]bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of [n]kings and Lord of [o]lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom [p]no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

[appy]

In scripture, Jesus told the young rich man that if he wanted to be right with God, to give away all his wealth. What we learn from the conversation, is that the man's wealth, greatly hindered his relationship with God. His wealth was just too important to him. On the flip side of the coin, Zacchaeus was Not told to give up his wealth, but he volunteered to give half of it away. Jesus said that salvation had come to Zacchaeus' home that day. Because there was a change of heart, and repentance on Zacchaeus' part.

If we look back in the Old Testament law, the wealthy Israelites, were to financially help others in need without tacking on interest. Their loans to the poor were to be seen as gifts, rather than a loan that could be paid back. The law stipulated that repayments had a short shelf life, and if a person was unable to finish paying the loan off before a certain time had passed, the person lending was to forgive the remaining debt and not demand full repayment. Essentially, the loan was a gift to begin with.

Certainly a picture of God forgiving our debt, that we can never fully pay for.

As to Paul, he said there were times, when he had more than enough. Whether he had little or much, his goal was to find contentment in every situation. I think this should be our goal too. Although I can agree with many here, that the amount that t.v preachers take in is considered to be on the extreme side as we wonder how much money and extravagance do we really need for daily living.

We do read in the New Testament that believers shared what extra they had. I don't remember reading anything about the early church being homeless and poor, but about sharing and helping each other as needs arose. Those who were able to do so, did.

In the story of Ananias and Sapphira, Peter told them that the money they received, was theirs to decide on how much to give and how much to keep for themselves. There was nothing wrong in that. What they did wrong, was to test God in the wrong way and for the wrong reason, plus lying to Him concerning the money and what they initially agreed to.

And I think from that, it isn't necessarily wrong to have money, but in the way we obtain that money and where our hearts are with God concerning wealth. If it is hindering our walk with the Lord, and how we relate to others, then we need to stop and examine ourselves.

[Hopefully]

 

“Jesus looked up and saw some rich people putting their gifts to God into the Temple collection box. Then he saw a poor widow put two small copper coins into the box. He said, “This poor widow gave only two small coins. But the truth is, she gave more than all those rich people. They have plenty, and they gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had to live on.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:1-4‬ ‭
 

I know for a fact that poor people help the poor not just because of this verse but because I’ve seen it, so certainly the rich should.

It’s especially good when we expect nothing in return; like a tax write off, by giving in secret knowing that God sees it and not expecting rewards from men. 

Edited April 18, 2021 by Hopefully