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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?
Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic
https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
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Christianity and Luxury
- Thread starter Classik
- Start date
Good question in a thread of this nature,
Having access to a computer my be considered rich to some folks.
Owning more then the clothes on one back.
Owning more then one cow or even one cow.
I
Isambard
Guest
I am not a teacher and I am not trying to 'teach' anything, I am however expressing my view. I assume that is the purpose of this forum?
My earlier suggestion, that Jesus appeared to have been an ascetic and probably an Essene has been completely ignored. There is no absolute proof that He was but it is a very common view and there is evidence for it. If anyone believes that Jesus was rich, perhaps they would like to provide evidence of that and also explain how and when He earned his money? If Jesus really was an ascetic and an Essene (which is what I believe - but cannot prove) and He said 'follow me' then we have to consider what He meant. In The Bible we see several exhortations to support the poor. This clearly suggests, that is what Jesus wants us to do. The opposite case is that Jesus wants us to ignore the poor - and I don't accept that notion. Couple this with it being 'hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven' and I think that there is a very good case to be made that Jesus did not approve of materialism. If He didn't approve of materialism and He said, 'follow me', did He mean follow His example or did He mean we should just give lip-service to following Him? I think we all know the answer to that one and we know in our hearts that we all fail in that regard - except perhaps the members of a few holy orders.
I suggest that there is rather more to being a Christian than freely giving ourselves that title and praising God. We have received some pretty clear lessons about how we should live our lives and we should probably be following those lessons. Why else were we given them?
Abundance in this world? Maybe there potentially is, but it is not evenly distributed and some countries are seriously, seriously overcrowded. India and China, for example, have 4 times the population of the US in less habitable space. There are still millions of desperately poor and starving people in the world. If Jesus were to talk to us today, knowing that we could easily get our riches across the world to save those starving millions, what do you think He would tell us to do? What would He approve of and what would He condemn?
The answer is simple but it appears that some of us want to hold on to our riches despite professing to 'follow' Jesus. Despite our daily prayers, we appear to be rather selective in just what parts of His example we follow.
Dein Wille geschehe. Bitte.
Deborah13
Member
You said: "If anyone believes that Jesus was rich, perhaps they would like to provide evidence of that and also explain how and when He earned his money?"
Jesus and the Apostles paid Roman taxes just like everyone else. Where did He get that money from?
A fish!
That appears to me to be pretty financially secure.
"It's not a question of power, it's a matter of obedience".
Gary said the above quote and I agree with it.If a person has alot of money they have to always know who that money really belongs to and that is Christ.Christ gives us all things.It is very easy for someone to come into the sinful thinking of power,greed,control.That person needs to stay very obedient to God and ask Him how He wants them to use this money for the Glory of God.A person can do alot of good in our world with a ton of money.There is much need.
Gary said the above quote and I agree with it.If a person has alot of money they have to always know who that money really belongs to and that is Christ.Christ gives us all things.It is very easy for someone to come into the sinful thinking of power,greed,control.That person needs to stay very obedient to God and ask Him how He wants them to use this money for the Glory of God.A person can do alot of good in our world with a ton of money.There is much need.
I
Isambard
Guest
Paying Roman taxes was not an indication of wealth. As a matter of interest, where does it say that Jesus paid taxes?
http://www.compellingtruth.org/was-Jesus-rich.html
This is an interesting website about Jesus and his financial situation.
This is an interesting website about Jesus and his financial situation.
Deborah13
Member
Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
I must however withdraw that this was a Roman tax, it was a tax from the temple paid yearly.
The point was that when He was in need He had access to what He needed. and He did not rely on man but on God.
I did not mean to talk down to you. I am sorry if that's the way it came across. I don't want to continue debating this topic so I'll just bow out here. This thread is not particularly set up for debating anyway. I suggest if you want to continue debating this topic that you start a new thread in the apologetics forum.Isambard said:
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Have you sold all?
How many Christians are going to give up a cup of soup? If one has a cup of soup there is some one who has none.
1Ti_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 pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1Ti_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 pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
A cup of soup is quite different than some very valuable prized possessions.
I do not believe that all people who have been Blessed by God to have alot of money and very valuable things are greedy.I am sure there are some who are not.
Butch5
Member
Since we're to seek the welfare of others how does spending the money oneself help feed the poor, or clothe the naked? Have you considered the parable in Mathew 25?
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
(Mat 25:32-46 KJV)
Let me remind you of Joyce Meyer and her mansion and her private jet.
I also know that some poor that are greedy and haven't had the chance to have wealth.
Butch5
Member
so a Christian shouldn't have a job that pays much? he shouldn't have a car, a home and retirement? any desire to work one job and make a living? why work then if its greedy? define sustistance and lust and too much. It will differ from each person. that is why is say if God convicts you to not do that then dont. we dont need the internet and cell phones. cars and yet whom has them? most here likely.