What is the Christian view on wealth?

W

Wan

Hello. I have been thinking about what the proper view is on wealth, for a Christian.

I recall the verse that roughly goes, "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than it is for a rich man to go into heaven". Also, I have also read about how Jesus urged a man to give away his worldly possessions, in order to follow Him.

This makes me think. I mean, I am not greedy, I don't need to be rich. But, at the same time, I don't want to be poor, either. And I think it's not just me. This has real implications, because when we try to spread our message, and we tell unbelievers that they need to give away all their money in order to be a Christian, we would encounter a lot of resistance. I mean I can just see it happening.

So anyway, I am a bit torn on this subject. I would like to your thoughts on this. Thank you.
 
Wan said:
Hello. I have been thinking about what the proper view is on wealth, for a Christian.

I recall the verse that roughly goes, "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than it is for a rich man to go into heaven". Also, I have also read about how Jesus urged a man to give away his worldly possessions, in order to follow Him.

This makes me think. I mean, I am not greedy, I don't need to be rich. But, at the same time, I don't want to be poor, either. And I think it's not just me. This has real implications, because when we try to spread our message, and we tell unbelievers that they need to give away all their money in order to be a Christian, we would encounter a lot of resistance. I mean I can just see it happening.

So anyway, I am a bit torn on this subject. I would like to your thoughts on this. Thank you.
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As a pretty long time investor, and that I also help operate a stock group.
Its all how you are doing what you do. We teach people how to trade, we teach them how to be aware of fraud.
We teach that there is a honest way to invest and help others. I designed software that helps automate research for free
and can process over 10,000 stocks every 30 seconds. And I could easily be wealthy off the backs of those that would be willing to pay for
such tools and experience. But I would rather help people and help them find some peace and security.
And yes there is a catch. As I pray and thank God often in the group, so they know where my loyalty in this is.

Its not the money, its how you earn and use the money. I live pretty much debt free and that is because of investing.
However I stop there. I do not need a new car, I buy used pretty everything. Instead I use what I have to help others.
I am not saying having things is bad. But in God I am already wealthy beyond simple monetary gains.
I think we need to be humble in what we have.
In fact I seldom mention my independence from debt, because It means very little other then security why I am among the living.
And there is peace in knowing my family will be OK.

So my opinion what would Christ do if he was wealthy with Money ?
I wouldn't want Jesus living in the street, or under a bridge if he had worked to earn a modest way to survive.
God will place suffering in our lives, and most times it at our hands and Money is often the cause of many a sin.

So a good answer is, what would Jesus want us to have and live by?
I thought about quoting scripture. But in reality we all know in our hearts, what we need, and what we can afford to give.
Our time, our hearts, and even our wealth are all valuable in the beholder that these things are gifted. WE just have to be assured we
do so in his honor.
 
Wan said:
Hello. I have been thinking about what the proper view is on wealth, for a Christian. I recall the verse that roughly goes, "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than it is for a rich man to go into heaven". Also, I have also read about how Jesus urged a man to give away his worldly possessions, in order to follow Him. This makes me think. I mean, I am not greedy, I don't need to be rich. But, at the same time, I don't want to be poor, either. And I think it's not just me. This has real implications, because when we try to spread our message, and we tell unbelievers that they need to give away all their money in order to be a Christian, we would encounter a lot of resistance. I mean I can just see it happening.
So anyway, I am a bit torn on this subject. I would like to your thoughts on this. Thank you.
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Good morning, Wan;

You're doing fine, sister, and your thread tells me you're just doing a self check, as we all should, and how we respond to those who ask.

It's ok to earn money, have a home to enjoy, refuge, eat and sleep. These are abundant blessings entrusted and enjoyed to you by God. It's what you do with it that brings Him glory.

In my testimony Hazel and I give God's portion back to Him, first, through Church, a Jewish Christian organization, and wherever we give someone a cup of cold water. He has always taken care of everything else, secondary.

Matthew 10:42, 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” - NKJV

Matthew 25:37-40, 37 The righteous will then answer him, ‘When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? 38 When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 The King will reply, ‘I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!’ - GNT

How much should I give?, asks the unbeliever or new Christian disciple. I can see the stress when some ask this question. God assures us in the New Testament;

In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - ESV

In my testimony God knows we have expenses but have experienced when we gave what we truly can, reference 2 Corinthians 9:7, it is given cheerfully with no expectation of payback from God. God can take what little or plenty and still do great things with what we give.

Thank you for asking an important question, Wan, a question that is being read by many on the world wide public.

God bless you.

Bob
 
Wan said:
Hello. I have been thinking about what the proper view is on wealth, for a Christian.

I recall the verse that roughly goes, "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than it is for a rich man to go into heaven". Also, I have also read about how Jesus urged a man to give away his worldly possessions, in order to follow Him.

This makes me think. I mean, I am not greedy, I don't need to be rich. But, at the same time, I don't want to be poor, either. And I think it's not just me. This has real implications, because when we try to spread our message, and we tell unbelievers that they need to give away all their money in order to be a Christian, we would encounter a lot of resistance. I mean I can just see it happening.

So anyway, I am a bit torn on this subject. I would like to your thoughts on this. Thank you.
Click to expand...
No reason whatsoever to be "torn" my dear friend.

The Scriptural truth is that the Bible condemns greed—but it doesn’t condemn financial success, if it is gained legitimately and with the right motives.

If you will recall, some of the greatest men in the Old Testament—men like Abraham and Job—David-----Soloman were also people of great wealth, and their wealth was seen as a sign of God’s blessing. Does that mean God wants all of us to be wealthy? No, it doesn’t; after all, Jesus didn’t have any material wealth, and the Bible teaches that wealth often causes people to turn away from God. Jesus warned, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” in Matthew 6:24.

However, everything you have—including your ability to be successful in business—is a gift from God. But why did He give these gifts to you? To put it another way, what difference is there between you and someone else who is successful but isn’t a Christian?

The difference is this: Everything you have is God’s, and should be used for His glory.

All around you are people who need Christ and His love. What are you doing with your money to help them find Him? Ask God to give you a generous spirit. The Bible says, “Each man should give … not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” in 2 Corinthians 9:7.
 
Major said:
No reason whatsoever to be "torn" my dear friend.

The Scriptural truth is that the Bible condemns greed—but it doesn’t condemn financial success, if it is gained legitimately and with the right motives.

If you will recall, some of the greatest men in the Old Testament—men like Abraham and Job—David-----Soloman were also people of great wealth, and their wealth was seen as a sign of God’s blessing. Does that mean God wants all of us to be wealthy? No, it doesn’t; after all, Jesus didn’t have any material wealth, and the Bible teaches that wealth often causes people to turn away from God. Jesus warned, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” in Matthew 6:24.

However, everything you have—including your ability to be successful in business—is a gift from God. But why did He give these gifts to you? To put it another way, what difference is there between you and someone else who is successful but isn’t a Christian?

The difference is this: Everything you have is God’s, and should be used for His glory.

All around you are people who need Christ and His love. What are you doing with your money to help them find Him? Ask God to give you a generous spirit. The Bible says, “Each man should give … not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” in 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Click to expand...

Good morning, Major;

Well said, especially what you wrote, However, everything you have—including your ability to be successful in business—is a gift from God. But why did He give these gifts to you? To put it another way, what difference is there between you and someone else who is successful but isn’t a Christian?

I agree.

God bless you and thank you for sharing.

Bob
 
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