Why are we so concerned about getting wealth?

[luigi]

2 minutes ago, Sower said:

So you say Peter lied?  You reckon the lame man was disappointed that he was healed instead, and could now walk?

"And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple
that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”

And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you.

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God"
Acts 3:2-8

I think you may have missed the point, luigi. Peter's gift to the lame man was more valuable than any money.

I'm saying Peter was singularly minded. He had faith/belief solely on God and not Mammon. 

Remember when Jesus asked Peter to go fishing so that Peter could pay the tax for both Himself and Peter. Both Christ and Peter had no cash.

[Sower]

19 minutes ago, luigi said:

I'm saying Peter was singularly minded. He had faith/belief solely on God and not Mammon. 

Remember when Jesus asked Peter to go fishing so that Peter could pay the tax for both Himself and Peter. Both Christ and Peter had no cash.

OK, I get your point. Peter choose the better gift.

But your post/reply was confusing to me;

You said;   "Being head of the church in Jerusalem at the time,
Peter could have had all the gold and silver he wanted"

To me it implied you believed Peter actually had money he could have gave.
I guess I misjudged your statement, my bad.

[luigi]

Just now, Sower said:

OK, I get your point. Peter choose the better gift.

But your post/reply was confusing to me;

You said;   "Being head of the church in Jerusalem at the time,
Peter could have had all the gold and silver he wanted"

To me it implied you believed Peter actually had money he could have gave.
I guess I misjudged your statement, my bad.

I had posted previous to that post where I agreed with the Original post, where I know of no professing Christian today who does not also trust in Mammon/money, and thus we are all currently double minded. A couple of following responses seemed to contradict my claim, and so I posted the mention of what a singularly minded having faith only in God and not Mammon individual represents, with the example of Peter.

[*Deidre*]

Well, Scripture does say that we can't serve both God and money. One will give way to the other, eventually. Serving money isn't the same as using it to pay bills, and viewing it in a healthy way - that God has blessed us with a job, and money to take care of our financial obligations. Money is the currency a secular world uses to get by, but we mustn't serve it. When we serve money, we are then treating it like an idol. When we are good stewards over it, using it in healthy ways, we don't let it master us. That's how I've come to understand it. 

But everyone brings up some very good points, and it's great that we can discuss it here so we can help one another not stumble when it comes to money. 

Edited June 3, 2022 by *Deidre*

[Sower]

1 hour ago, luigi said:

I had posted previous to that post where I agreed with the Original post, where I know of no professing Christian today who does not also trust in Mammon/money, and thus we are all currently double minded. A couple of following responses seemed to contradict my claim, and so I posted the mention of what a singularly minded having faith only in God and not Mammon individual represents, with the example of Peter.

Makes sense what you described, just not the double minded man who obeys God by working as he was told. That is serving God in his labor, and he will receive a reward for doing so.

I remember what God said;

"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you,
that if any would not work, neither should he eat"

I assume God knew that someone that works will be paid in money/mammon.
And with that money he will be able to buy food. And feed his family or others.
That is what God calls a BLESSING, not serving mammon.
 

Money's not the problem. It's the motive/attitude in acquiring it. Is money your master? Or do you serve God?
Is it serving God by working for for enough sustenance for your family and to help others, or serving the acquisition of money just to build bigger barns and serving moneys power to have more.

That is what determines who you serve. Besides, Christians know it all comes from God. Man works, God blesses.

"You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you"     Psalm 128:2

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ"    Colossians 3:23-24

"In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty"  Proverbs 14:23

"Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it"  Proverbs 13:11

"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than a unbeliever"  
         1 Timothy 5:8

[Starise]

19 hours ago, Marathoner said:

A husband's duty is to his wife and also to his children, if he is a father; a wife's duty is to her husband and also to her children, if she is a mother. This pleases the Lord so whatever he does, the husband must do for the good of his family. This is a great responsibility but also a blessing beyond compare. You have been given much!

I can distinctly remember the financial pinch when I had kids at home and we were trying to make a go of it on one low income. It's tough, there is no denying it. As the bread winner I felt it was all on me. There were times I didn't cope so well with the stress I allowed it to put on me. I would sit down at my table, do the math. The math wasn't working out. The Lord would always provide though every single time. We were not wealthy. At that point I was working poor. As a planning person who likes to have some extra, it felt off flying by the seat of my pants. This is where true faith really comes in. I prayed for a house. God provided a brand new home which was our first home. Until then I rented for sometime and it seemed hopeless to ever pull free.  There was my pay check and then there was God's making up the deficit.

Satan threw his best darts at us during that time and unfortunately some of them took. My wife was up to things on the side. It led to a divorce, so my story isn't one of total victory over all of the evil. To be fair the Lord has blessed me abundantly since then with both another home and a faithful wife. Over time through another job and a promotion I can now breath a little better.

Not long ago I had the same kind of concern for my son and my daughter, that they would be able to stay afloat financially. My son-in-law bought a  home a few years ago and my son just bought a home. They had kids early and had a hard time saving money. The Lord worked a miracle in both of their cases as I believe He answered my prayers for them. They were in an apartment they had outgrown and their landlord raised the rent way up high so they had to do something.

"Concern about getting wealth" for most people now is simply to live week to week and have enough money to pay the bills. As I contemplate cutting back for retirement in the future I have the nagging feeling I'm going to be back into that living by faith mentality once again.

When enough isn't enough God will make it enough for His faithful.

[luigi]

12 hours ago, Sower said:

Makes sense what you described, just not the double minded man who obeys God by working as he was told. That is serving God in his labor, and he will receive a reward for doing so.

I remember what God said;

"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you,
that if any would not work, neither should he eat"

I assume God knew that someone that works will be paid in money/mammon.
And with that money he will be able to buy food. And feed his family or others.
That is what God calls a BLESSING, not serving mammon.
 

Money's not the problem. It's the motive/attitude in acquiring it. Is money your master? Or do you serve God?
Is it serving God by working for for enough sustenance for your family and to help others, or serving the acquisition of money just to build bigger barns and serving moneys power to have more.

That is what determines who you serve. Besides, Christians know it all comes from God. Man works, God blesses.

"You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you"     Psalm 128:2

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ"    Colossians 3:23-24

"In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty"  Proverbs 14:23

"Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it"  Proverbs 13:11

"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than a unbeliever"  
         1 Timothy 5:8

Yes, I see and agree with your point about labor. Though I see that pertaining to the general body of Christ, and not to those who wish to be disciples, whom the Lord explains requires leaving everything of this world behind.

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

[luigi]

12 hours ago, *Deidre* said:

Well, Scripture does say that we can't serve both God and money. One will give way to the other, eventually. Serving money isn't the same as using it to pay bills, and viewing it in a healthy way - that God has blessed us with a job, and money to take care of our financial obligations. Money is the currency a secular world uses to get by, but we mustn't serve it. When we serve money, we are then treating it like an idol. When we are good stewards over it, using it in healthy ways, we don't let it master us. That's how I've come to understand it. 

But everyone brings up some very good points, and it's great that we can discuss it here so we can help one another not stumble when it comes to money. 

All very good points. Money, however, in its current form seems to be collapsing, with many now talking about the creation of a worldwide digital currency. We all know what that means, right?

[Sower]

36 minutes ago, luigi said:

Yes, I see and agree with your point about labor. Though I see that pertaining to the general body of Christ, and not to those who wish to be disciples, whom the Lord explains requires leaving everything of this world behind.

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

I see your point.That verse does seem strong as Jesus was instructing his disciples.
But God also said to "honor our mothers and fathers" and also said;
“anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”

So you see that Luke 14, 26 needs some context. My understanding is that Jesus knew what his disciples were about to undertake and He was letting them know how hard it was going to be. He wanted them to consider the cost, of being a disciple. Could they give up everything to serve Him. So much so it would be to the point of "like"  hating everything, everybody, in order to serve God.  As disciples.

Jesus says in Matthew to; "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"

God's word does not contradict itself. We as believers today are commanded to GO.

Make disciples. Yet honor our parents, provide for our family. My take on it.
 

 

[luigi]

10 minutes ago, Sower said:

I see your point.That verse does seem strong as Jesus was instructing his disciples.
But God also said to "honor our mothers and fathers" and also said;
“anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”

So you see that Luke 14, 26 needs some context. My understanding is that Jesus knew what his disciples were about to undertake and He was letting them know how hard it was going to be. He wanted them to consider the cost, of being a disciple. Could they give up everything to serve Him. So much so it would be to the point of "like"  hating everything, everybody, in order to serve God.  As disciples.

Jesus says in Matthew to; "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"

God's word does not contradict itself. We as believers today are commanded to GO.

Make disciples. Yet honor our parents, provide for our family. My take on it.
 

 

I guess it comes down to how much someone cares for this world. Those of us who care more for this world will be more complacent, while those who hate their lives in this world will be less complacent, and thus more ready to leave all behind them to follow Christ.