should we avoid being rich and wealthy?

[Kathi]

Exodus 20:

1. Then God spoke all these words, saying,
2. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery
3. You shall have no other gods before me." (NASB)

Yes,basically that is idolatry.

 

[Classik]

What about Matthew 19:24? "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

I have an issue with this verse: reason being that Christ asked him to sell all he had - kind of asking him to become poor. Perhaps Christ meant differently, "you love this more than you love me". He could not have made illegal money - because he kept all the commandment right from his childhood. So what has he done wrong.

 

[Gary]

I have an issue with this verse: reason being that Christ asked him to sell all he had - kind of asking him to become poor. Perhaps Christ meant differently, "you love this more than you love me". He could not have made illegal money - because he kept all the commandment right from his childhood. So what has he done wrong.

He couldn't let go of this life.
.

 

[AirDancer]

Because the man loved/idolized his riches more than he loved our Lord, he wasn't willing to walk by faith. In many ways, he was appalled that our Lord Jesus would even suggest that he sell everything he had & to give it to the poor. His heart was definitely not ready to receive the blessings and joys of a true relationship with our Lord, so he walked away.

 

[Kathi]

I have an issue with this verse: reason being that Christ asked him to sell all he had - kind of asking him to become poor. Perhaps Christ meant differently, "you love this more than you love me". He could not have made illegal money - because he kept all the commandment right from his childhood. So what has he done wrong.

I think Christ was asking him to give up all he had to see if he would do it.He was very wealthy.God is testing him to see if he loved his wealth more than he loved God.Could you give up everything you have right now?Sell it all to follow Christ?

 

[KevinK]

Jesus seemed very adamant on this one: having a lot of money is a very, very bad idea.

What about the story of Lazarus (the poor one, not the resurrected one)? Wasn't the rich man's only sin being rich?

 

[Kathi]

Jesus seemed very adamant on this one: having a lot of money is a very, very bad idea.

What about the story of Lazarus (the poor one, not the resurrected one)? Wasn't the rich man's only sin being rich?

The rich man treated Lazarus horrible.Fed him scraps.We are to help those who are in need.The Bible says we are to give to the widows and the orphans.If a person is rich and is hungry with greed and power and treats the hungry and poor terrible you might just end up like the rich man.

 

[KevinK]

The rich man treated Lazarus horrible.Fed him scraps.We are to help those who are in need.The Bible says we are to give to the widows and the orphans.If a person is rich and is hungry with greed and power and treats the hungry and poor terrible you might just end up like the rich man.

I'd like to believe that interpretation, but I can't find enough in the actual scripture to support it. It doesn't really say how the rich man treated Lazarus. Furthermore, in the dialogue with Abraham in the afterlife, the prophet only describes their material (i.e. money) differences. Not a word about cruelty or social negligence.

 

[Classik]

He couldn't let go of this life.
.

What was wrong with the life? I would say he was a just man...judging him by the law he kept. It is nit clear why he would lose all his possession. It was his money. maybe there was something Christ didn't tell us...or we have not fully understood the verses.

 

[Classik]

I think Christ was asking him to give up all he had to see if he would do it.He was very wealthy.God is testing him to see if he loved his wealth more than he loved God.Could you give up everything you have right now?Sell it all to follow Christ?

This makes sense

 

[WIP]

After some series of conversations with some friends some of them are of the opinion that they don't want to be rich...or in fact very rich. It is as if it is a crime against GOD to be rich.

I've actually given casual thought to the prospect of wealth a time or two recently. I am 55 years old and debt free. My wife is retired, against her will due to back injury, and I feel I have everything I need or want and then some to be honest. I have one daughter in college and a second will be starting this fall. There are times I actually find myself thinking that I have far more than I should....actually this thought comes across my mind more often than one would expect. I enjoy life, give to charity regularly, built up a savings for emergencies, have what looks like a comfortable retirement saved up, and I feel very blessed and comfortable where I'm at financially. I have concluded that I don't think I would like to be any more financially secure than I am right now and in fact have entertained the question whether I have too much. I honestly don't know what I would do with it if I had more. I'd probably feel a push to give it all away.

 

[JLB]

After some series of conversations with some friends some of them are of the opinion that they don't want to be rich...or in fact very rich. It is as if it is a crime against GOD to be rich.

God wants those whom He has called to be entrusted with wealth, as a steward.

The mindset of a steward is such, that whatever he has is God's.

The steward can be trusted by God to give and help where He leads, so that everyone has what he needs to do what God has called them to do.

As it is written

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Acts 4:32-35

Those that own houses or lands are business owners as opposed to wage earners.

These were called upon by the Spirit to distribute to the people by laying the proceeds at the Apostles feet.

Notice that the Apostles didn't take the money and divy it up amongst themselves, but rather appoint those who were trustworthy to distribute to the people.

This is the lifestyle of the Tribe (family) as opposed to the System.

All the children of Israel were one big family.

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

No one is supposed to be without what they need.

The faithful steward is a powerful asset to the kingdom of God.

Jesus said these very important words, whose context are associated with the end of the age, even during the great tribulation.

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45 "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Matthew 24:44-45

JLB

 

[Classik]

Thanks a lot. This is such a very rich post.

 

[Kathi]

I'd like to believe that interpretation, but I can't find enough in the actual scripture to support it. It doesn't really say how the rich man treated Lazarus. Furthermore, in the dialogue with Abraham in the afterlife, the prophet only describes their material (i.e. money) differences. Not a word about cruelty or social negligence.

Luke 16:19-31
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell[a] from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”
Can you actually say that you do not know how the rich man treated Lazarus by reading this?

 

[Kathi]

I've actually given casual thought to the prospect of wealth a time or two recently. I am 55 years old and debt free. My wife is retired, against her will due to back injury, and I feel I have everything I need or want and then some to be honest. I have one daughter in college and a second will be starting this fall. There are times I actually find myself thinking that I have far more than I should....actually this thought comes across my mind more often than one would expect. I enjoy life, give to charity regularly, built up a savings for emergencies, have what looks like a comfortable retirement saved up, and I feel very blessed and comfortable where I'm at financially. I have concluded that I don't think I would like to be any more financially secure than I am right now and in fact have entertained the question whether I have too much. I honestly don't know what I would do with it if I had more. I'd probably feel a push to give it all away.

I would pray to God about your feelings regarding this.Yes,you are very comfortable.Count your blessings.

 

[WIP]

I don't think I would be considered rich by modern American standards. According to a recent article in USNews, I would be classified as middle to upper middle class. I've experienced the other end of that spectrum spending three years on public assistance to get by and then pulling myself up and getting to where I'm at today.

I try to count my blessings every day. We have a good home (remodeled an old farmhouse myself), good secure employment, both our vehicles are less than 5 years old, I can afford to help my children through college, I have a good strong retirement package (I suppose as long as my health holds out), decent health care package, I don't go hungry, I have clothing on my back (maybe most is old and out of style but I don't care), and I have enough expendable income to do most of what I enjoy and commit some to help others. What more could I ask for?

 

[Kathi]

 

[for_his_glory]

There is nothing wrong with being rich as long as one does not fall into adultery and put their wealth above that of God as making money their idol. God trust us in our finances to handle them properly as in charity to others with love and compassion. Sometimes I wish we were rich so that others, including our self, would be out of debt and could concentrate even more on those things of God as we continue in the works of the Lord per Matthew 25:34-40.

 

[Kathi]

There is nothing wrong with being rich as long as one does not fall into adultery and put their wealth above that of God as making money their idol. God trust us in our finances to handle them properly as in charity to others with love and compassion. Sometimes I wish we were rich so that others, including our self, would be out of debt and could concentrate even more on those things of God as we continue in the works of the Lord per Matthew 25:34-40.

I would like to buy a home.Nothing fancy.

 

[for_his_glory]

I would buy two homes, one for my husband and I and another to house those who have no place to live until they got back on their feet.