God does not trust me with riches

[Salty]

We have often heard Christians make this statement. But is it true? Do we think that to be a true Christian, we are to be poor?
Are we afraid to step out to be more successful?
I need to point out that this discussion has nothing to do with the So-called "prosperity gospel"
Over history there have been many rich men of God. (Abraham, Job -- and in contemporary times
there are 6 Christian families...

So what say you ?

 

[canadyjd]

That is interesting. Of course, scripture tells us the “love” of money is the root of “all kinds of evil”, which is often misquoted as money being the root of all evil.

There is, I think, a certain mindset that very wealthy people usually have that may not be compatible with Christianity… a certain ruthlessness in terms of business, but that isn’t necessarily true.

I look forward to reading the responses.

Peace to you

 

[Charlie24]

We have often heard Christians make this statement. But is it true? Do we think that to be a true Christian, we are to be poor?
Are we afraid to step out to be more successful?
I need to point out that this discussion has nothing to do with the So-called "prosperity gospel"
Over history there have been many rich men of God. (Abraham, Job -- and in contemporary times
there are 6 Christian families...

So what say you ?

I think for myself the statement, "I don't trust myself with riches" is more accurate.

I'm afraid of riches, knowing there are things in this world that could come between my relationship with Christ.

I see nothing wrong with riches in itself, but for me I see it as an unnecessary test with God that makes me feel uneasy.

 

[Ascetic X]

Matthew 29:23,24

23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

 

[canadyjd]

Matthew 29:23,24

23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

And his disciples responded “who then can be saved”… revealing a belief then (and with many today) that if you are rich God must be blessing you.

And Jesus responded to the question, “who then can be saved” by saying with man it is impossible but with God, all things are possible.

Revealing the necessity of God intervening in a person’s life to bring them to salvation…

I love scripture!!!

Peace to you

 

[Ben1445]

Matthew 6:19-34
God wants us to let Him take care of us. We should oblige Him and trust Him to meet our needs. As His strength is made evident in our weakness, His riches are made evident in our need. I think it is more that God has a lot of people that He wants to teach about Himself, rather than a lot of people He cannot trust. He already knows who we are.

 

[timf]

Perhaps God cursed the earth because when we go our own way, if things are too easy we are more likely to harm ourselves and others with our self-indulgences.

Throughout history prosperity spells disaster for civilizations.

 

[Judith]

I have never heard anyone make that statement. That being said if a believer feels that in their heart then it may be true for them. Poor Christians may be what God uses to test the rich ones. We know in scripture that there was some really poor Christians.

 

[Dave G]

I see nothing inherently wrong with being rich as a believer...
But I see the Scripture telling us that there aren't many rich, who are saved:

" Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" ( James 2:5 ).

Those that are, I believe have been made so... in order to bestow the grace that has been given them, to others.

 

[sdcoyote]

I think that we need to ask ourselves "what is rich." The avg American is rich compared to 90% of the world. I mean I don't consider myself rich, but perhaps I should. I live in a house that is paid for, own 2 cars that are paid for, and sent 2 boys to college. Is that rich? I think maybe so.

And maybe I should be giving more to the kingdom of God.

 

[Salty]

Excellent point, SD!

 

[MrW]

Hard to know where to give these days.

 

[Ben1445]

Hard to know where to give these days.

I’m not saying throw discretion to the wind, but Jesus didn’t say that if you choose to give to the wrong people you lose your reward. He said that if you are giving only in the name of ______ you will not lose your reward.

P.S. don’t fill in the blank with anything but what Jesus said.

This thought has helped me do more than I would have otherwise. And God handles the details.

 

[MrW]

A disciple.

 

[Ben1445]

A disciple.

But He didn’t say if you give to a disciple. God judges according to what we have and not according to what we don’t have.
So while I’m not saying give to a tv preacher who wants a private jet, what I am saying is that if we are giving correctly, that is what matters. In perspective, we are supposed to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. At this point, you could give to anyone especially if they need help.
Again I say, this is not to be careless in giving. What I am saying is that while there are those stories of professional beggars who have a greater net worth than most of the people they take from, if they are who you are giving to in the name of a disciple, you will not lose your reward for your sacrifice. It allows you to give to others who are in name only. You will still, at the very least, be loving your enemies. Pray for people who are taking advantage of you.
I find that giving to my church and making sure that my church family is taken care of is my first responsibility. Then whoever I find “on the road to Jericho” that needs help is my “neighbor/Good Samaritan” responsibility.
If my focus is to take care of these, then I’m not likely to miss the other times I can help someone that may or may not seem to fit these categories.

 

[MrW]

I didn’t say that. I filled in the blank with what He said. If a person gives a cup of cold water to someone only in the name of a disciple, he will by no means lose his reward.

The church I attend is well off financially, partly because of our gifts, and of others, of course.
Oh, and my family is my first responsibility. God created family long before the church, and if we don’t care for family we have denied the faith and are worse than an infidel.

If I give gifts in the name of Paul, I have given the gift in the name of a disciple, and I do not lose my reward. It still remains that I need to know to whom to give the gifts. Wisdom is required.

Proverbs 22:16 (KJV)
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.

 

[Ben1445]

I didn’t say that. I filled in the blank with what He said. If a person gives a cup of cold water to someone only in the name of a disciple, he will by no means lose his reward.

The church I attend is well off financially, partly because of our gifts, and of others, of course.
Oh, and my family is my first responsibility. God created family long before the church, and if we don’t care for family we have denied the faith and are worse than an infidel.

If I give gifts in the name of Paul, I have given the gift in the name of a disciple, and I do not lose my reward. It still remains that I need to know to whom to give the gifts. Wisdom is required.

Proverbs 22:16 (KJV)
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.

I don’t know exactly what you are saying. You said…

Hard to know where to give these days.

I just told you how I approach the subject.
But neither I nor you can give in the name of Paul (on his behalf) unless your name is Paul.
I think the idea is that you are giving to care for the disciple and not just that you utter the name of a disciple when you pass out water. That sounds a bit superstitious to me.
I assumed that you were talking about where to give as in, “it is hard to tell who are really disciples.”
To this I say, we are supposed to do good to those who hate us. That leaves the field wide open.