Rich Christians

[Salty]

A) Many Christians have often said that the Lord wont let me be rich because He knows I couldn't handle or be trusted with that much money. SO:

1. Is there any there any truth to that?
2. Is that just an excuse not to obtain riches
3. Is that what the Lord tells us, but there really other reasons?
4. Other?



B)
1. If a Christian is extremly wealthy - should he give his offering to only his home church,
or should he spread the wealth around.
2. If his church is small - say 250 or less - by giving all his offering to only one church
would it get to the point that the church would be depending on that individual for expenses?



Open for discussion

 

[JonC]

I believe the material things do not matter (either way). Our object should not be to become wealthy, but at the same time we do not have to live in poverty. The key is contentment and being faithful stewards of what God has given us.

Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 

[Dewey cothran]

A) Many Christians have often said that the Lord wont let me be rich because He knows I couldn't handle or be trusted with that much money. SO:

1. Is there any there any truth to that?
2. Is that just an excuse not to obtain riches
3. Is that what the Lord tells us, but there really other reasons?
4. Other?



B)
1. If a Christian is extremly wealthy - should he give his offering to only his home church,
or should he spread the wealth around.
2. If his church is small - say 250 or less - by giving all his offering to only one church
would it get to the point that the church would be depending on that individual for expenses?



Open for discussion

salty i think that its not an excuse some Christians are very sincere about the fact that cant handle riches or cant handle them and serve God too. Thats my response for a. for b. they need to take that to God thats actually nobodys business ,now if God leads them they have options but as i read scripture their first priority is to the hungry the homeless the imprisoned ect its not to the church but thats how i read scripture so im only speaking for myself.

 

[Salty]

salty i think that its not an excuse some Christians are very sincere about the fact that cant handle riches or cant handle them and serve God too. Thats my response for a. for b. they need to take that to God thats actually nobodys business ,now if God leads them they have options but as i read scripture their first priority is to the hungry the homeless the imprisoned ect its not to the church but thats how i read scripture so im only speaking for myself.

How about Moses - he said he could not be a leader as he had trouble with Speech. Well,the Lord took care of that -
Aaron was the Mouthpiece - and Moses became the leader.

Thus if the Lord directs us - we will have the strength from the Lord to do as he directs us.

 

[Dewey cothran]

How about Moses - he said he could not be a leader as he had trouble with Speech. Well,the Lord took care of that -
Aaron was the Mouthpiece - and Moses became the leader.

Thus if the Lord directs us - we will have the strength from the Lord to do as he directs us.

if the lord directs you to be rich by all means be rich

 

[Reformed]

Whether in wealth or in poverty, the key is to be content in whatever circumstance you find yourself in (Philippians 4:11).

 

[HankD]

compared to the rest of the planet here in America we, for the most part, live as nobility.

 

[Alcott]

"It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."
If there was ever a verse that was and is just passed over with excuses, this is one of the best candidates. And it doesn't matter whether the eye of a needle means a needle to pull thread or yarn, or the figurative name for the small passage beside a city gate (a doggy door for humans). A camel walking through it is an impossibility. But with God all things are possible. That, however, can be a copout. The rich young ruler was told to give all his possessions to the poor, and he turned away, and I have heard speakers say that if he had agreed to do that, Jesus would have told him that he didn't have to do that, since he showed that he *would* do it if commanded-- reeking of Abraham sacrificing Isaac or Ninevah repenting to the dismay of Jonah. But I think it's wrong to put words into Jesus' mouth; therefore he did have to give it all away, not just show he was willing to do so. And if that is right, then it's hard to believe he is the one and only of whom such is required. Tht takes us right back to a rich man cannot enter the kingdom. Yet Abraham was rich and we know he is there (Luke 16), and-- gross irony, it seems-- he berates the rich man in torment for having had his good things in his lifetime. Abe didn't? How can we remain literalist with this topic?

 

[Salty]

Alcott! Some interesting points to be brought out.

Yet, there have been many rich Christians -
R G LaTourneau - gave 90% for his offerings and live on his 10%

A pastor told RG that the Lord can use Businessmen as well as missionaries.

 

[Adonia]

compared to the rest of the planet here in America we, for the most part, live as nobility.

We sure do. Our poorest citizens have hot and cold running water in their Section 8 housing no less. What a country!

We are not rich but we have a nice little home, a decent car, steady meals, and are able to go out once in a while. We are blessed!

 

[Sai]

According to Paul New Testament giving is more than the tithe under the law of Moses (23% total per year). We are instructed to set aside on the first day of the week in store (perhaps a dedicated checking account to be strictly used for giving) and it is from that account that we how we will return to the Lord.

Whatever we prospered above our mortgage, essential needs, etc we decide that week how much to give to God’s Checking Account. From that account we make dispersement to fund the financial needs of the local church such as the pastor’s salary (being mindful to give above this as he is worthy of double remuneration), needs of fellow brothers, missions, and as God leads us.

This is how we are supposed to give. Writing a check to the church in my view is not the most mature way to give.

As per the rich man, it is more complicated but the onus is upon him to figure out every detail of his actual needs and then pray about how much to give.

 

[HankD]

We sure do. Our poorest citizens have hot and cold running water in their Section 8 housing no less. What a country!

We are not rich but we have a nice little home, a decent car, steady meals, and are able to go out once in a while. We are blessed!

we are rich.

we share but we are rich

 

[HankD]

We sure do. Our poorest citizens have hot and cold running water in their Section 8 housing no less. What a country!

We are not rich but we have a nice little home, a decent car, steady meals, and are able to go out once in a while. We are blessed!

years ago my daughter went on a youth group missionary help journey to Mexico.

she came back distraught because of what she saw - poverty - for real.
some of the Mexican children living in dirt floor "homes" were amazed that American kids expected to eat food EVERY DAY.

 

[Salty]

...This is how we are supposed to give. Writing a check to the church in my view is not the most mature way to give. ...

You need to expound on that a bit . So what do you consider "mature" ways to give.????

 

[Sai]

You need to expound on that a bit . So what do you consider "mature" ways to give.????

If I write a check for 10% of my weekly income and give it to the church that is not being obedient to the commandment to set aside the money first and then give it. So in my observations if I say to myself that I’m going to set aside one dollar for the purpose of giving and then I go into that stored place take that dollar and give it to the church, I will be building with gold silver precious stones because it’s being done God’s way. And that one dollar is of more value than the 10% of income written as a gift to the church which was given on the basis of faulty exegesis.

I understand that people still give this way using the “tithe” and that is between them and the Lord. My conscience bothers me to do that and I decided that what Paul taught concerning giving was not optional but a command. Some week it might 10%, another week might be zero and another it may be 100% of what was earned based on God’s prospering of my house.

 

[Salty]

Sai, what you wrote make absolutely NO sense.

First - the NT does NOT teach the tithe. Yes we are to give (but we will leave that for another discussion)

Second -You say some weeks you give nothing

Third - this business of not using checks -was that something a pastor told you/or your church.

Fourth- I do write Checks - and it is the first one that I always write - thus I AM setting it aside!

Fifth - I only write a check once a month - but I will let you think about that.

 

[Centrist]

A) Many Christians have often said that the Lord wont let me be rich because He knows I couldn't handle or be trusted with that much money. SO:

1. Is there any there any truth to that?
2. Is that just an excuse not to obtain riches
3. Is that what the Lord tells us, but there really other reasons?
4. Other?

B)
1. If a Christian is extremly wealthy - should he give his offering to only his home church,
or should he spread the wealth around.
2. If his church is small - say 250 or less - by giving all his offering to only one church
would it get to the point that the church would be depending on that individual for expenses?

Open for discussion

1. Is there any there any truth to that?
A: No.

2. Is that just an excuse not to obtain riches
A: Yes.

3. Is that what the Lord tells us, but there really other reasons?
A: There are other reasons. God is not here to coddle us and change our diapers.

4. I have know both wealthy and poor, and I have been both wealthy and poor. I remember when I was 17, living on my own, on Social Security because of my impairments, and within six months of getting into a small business venture with some friends I was no longer on Social Security, owned a small condo, a small sports car, motorcycle, and a sweet 4x4 truck. The beauty of our youth, eh!

God loves us, He wants us to have the best life can give, but it also means that we gotta earn it. Sadly, as hard as we work to earn it, lots of time it slips right through our hands before we even see it.


B)1. If a Christian is extremely wealthy, I feel it is completely up to him/her to invest in Jesus in whatever manner they feel fit. I would spread it around.

This is what I appreciate about the LDS Church. I give my titihing, and I let them decide where it goes. Where does it go? Hmmm....

....They offer employment and counseling services to families, homeless, and those dealing with addiction;

....They have thrift stores to train people skills and offer affordable clothing and supplies to the public;

....We are among the first to show up after natural disasters;

....They have hundreds of charitable farms, orchards, bakeries, and ranches all over the United States designed to feed the needy and less fortunate.

....They've established a store for needy families...no money required.
And the funny part of this is that the Mormons don’t keep it to themselves. We help anyone that is truly in need. They just gotta step up and ask.

Perhaps I’m wrong, but I really don’t see any of this with the TeleEvangelists. Instead I see their mansions, majestic properties, and Lear Jets they buy.

 

[Salty]

First - Tele-evangelists are the extreme minoiryt of pastors. Many churches do help others - either thru their own ministry - or with Rescue Missions, pro-life groups, alcohol and drug programs, ect. And many evangelical groups are on the scene with assistance. == Also, those tele- evangelists - their churches/ministries do help

 

[MartyF]

A) Many Christians have often said that the Lord wont let me be rich because He knows I couldn't handle or be trusted with that much money. SO:

1. Is there any there any truth to that?
2. Is that just an excuse not to obtain riches
3. Is that what the Lord tells us, but there really other reasons?
4. Other?



B)
1. If a Christian is extremly wealthy - should he give his offering to only his home church,
or should he spread the wealth around.
2. If his church is small - say 250 or less - by giving all his offering to only one church
would it get to the point that the church would be depending on that individual for expenses?



Open for discussion

Many don't know that Rockefeller was Baptist. He spread his wealth around to many churches and Baptist institutions I believe.

 

[HankD]

To much of the world the average American is rich beyond belief a possessor of the Bill of Rights as well.