Your thoughts regarding the following assertion I've heard from multiple Christians about material wealth:
You are a king's kid. There isn't anything wrong with having nice things. In fact, God wants you to have nice things.
God wants you to have nice things
God wants you to have nice things
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Those kinds of statements are usually accompanied with an offering plate and a suggestion that if you don't give to me, I mean God, then He won't give to you.
D.
D.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Did God want the early Christians to have "nice things", as they were thrown to the lions or burnt at stake? Likewise the Anabaptist in the middle ages? God didn't prevent them from suffering very painful deaths.
Did the fact that they suffered and died painfully indicate that their discipleship was somehow at fault? I dont think so. Many of them actually looked forward to witnessing for Christ in this way.
"Freely you have received; freely give."
We live in a day when merchandise is made of "the gospel". What a far cry that is from the apostolic way!
Did the fact that they suffered and died painfully indicate that their discipleship was somehow at fault? I dont think so. Many of them actually looked forward to witnessing for Christ in this way.
"Freely you have received; freely give."
We live in a day when merchandise is made of "the gospel". What a far cry that is from the apostolic way!
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Paidion
Avatar --- Age 45
"Not one soul will ever be redeemed from hell but by being saved from his sins, from the evil in him." --- George MacDonald
Avatar --- Age 45
"Not one soul will ever be redeemed from hell but by being saved from his sins, from the evil in him." --- George MacDonald
I am not sure how anyone knows what God wants another to have. God's providence is different for different individuals, and He may entrust to one servant one talent, to another two and to yet another five, "each according to his ability"--that is, according to each man's perceived competence as a steward (Matt.25:15).
God is not opposed to "nice things." He created a great number of them, and put man in charge of them all (Ps.115:16). Paul says that God "gives us richly all things to enjoy" (I Tim.6:17). Asceticism is not a universal norm for godliness, as is seen in the difference between John the Baptist (a desert hermit) and Jesus, who attended many feasts and was, as a result, accused of being a wine-bibber and a glutton (Matt.11:18-19). Of course, Jesus was neither a wine-bibber nor a glutton, but He apparently did not live a lifestyle that made that fact obvious to the critical observer.
Jesus did not own much, and probably owned nothing at all but such things as were given to Him as gifts (Luke 8:2-3). His "standard of living" was rather enigmatic. He did wear a rather expensive robe (John 19:23), though He did not have a denarius of His own upon which to show His questioners the face of Caesar (Matt.22:19), nor even the half-shekel (50 cents) with which to pay the temple tax (Matt.17:27). He also had to warn a would-be follower that "The Son of Man has no where to lay his head" (Luke 9:58).
Jesus' disciples, likewise, had "forsaken all" to follow Him (Mark 10:28), but Peter still owned a house, and a fishing boat, and tackle. Barnabas sold a piece of land, and donated the proceeds to the church (Acts 4:36-37). Others, like Mark's mother, owned a house, and used it as a meeting place for Christians (Acts 12:12).
Some in the church were apparently "rich in this world" (1 Tim.6:17), and needed to be instructed to not trust in their uncertain riches, but to be ready to share with others, so as to lay up treasures in heaven.
The New Testament does not teach that God is opposed to Christians having "nice things." However, obedient Christians do not lay up treasures for themselves on earth (Matt.6:19). All that a Christian possesses is held in trust for its owner, who is God (Luke 16:12). So long as any thing is in our possession, it must not be seen as wealth for ourselves. God's interests must be permitted to have instant access to all that we have, or else we cannot in any sense be His disciples (Luke 14:33).
Our standard of living must be determined by our understanding of God's specific calling on our lives, and exactly what God would wish for us to have in order to fulfill that calling. Not all are called to wander homelessly, as Jesus and His band of disciples did, preaching here and there, and living off the generosity of those who benefit spiritually from their ministry. Some, equally worthy of the name "disciple," may live stationary lives, providing constant light in one neighborhood, and showing hospitality to the saints. I assume that this was the case with Mary, Martha and Lazarus, and we know this was so with John's friend Gaius (3 John 5-8).
It is a fact not to be overlooked that most adult Christian women are called to manage a home and rear children (Tit.2:4-6). This usually requires more equipment than that which a single man may need (or even want). It is a significant part of the calling of husbands/fathers to provide the things necessary for their wives to fulfill their callings. "He that is married cares for the things of the world, how he may please his wife." This is not a lower calling. It is stated as a legitimate calling, though Paul would personally have liked to spare single men from such entanglements, whenever possible (1 Cor.7:16ff).
Apart from those things necessary for the fulfilling of God's individual calling upon our lives, I believe we should count any surplus of wealth to be only temporarily in our possession, pending our becoming aware of where God would have it distributed to the needy and to the advance of the Gospel.
If we understand that whatever is given to the poor is lent to the Lord (Prov.19:17), and becomes a part of a treasure in heaven (Luke 12:33/ Mark 10:21), and if we believe what the Gospel teaches about the relative value of "mammon" and "true riches" (Luke 16:11). I should think that it would very exceptional indeed for any of us to hold on to more than we need, and we would find our greater joy in giving than in hoarding--if only out of sanctified self-interest!
It is instructive that, just before Jesus told the young ruler to sell everything and give to the poor, we are told, "Jesus, looking at him, loved him" (Mark 10:21). It is loving, not severe, to advise a man how he might exchange relatively worthless goods for those that have surpassing value.
I know that I, personally, have found much greater blessing (joy) in giving to the Lord than I could find in keeping anything that might be dispersed for His use. This shouldn't be surprising, I suppose. It is what Jesus said would be true (Acts 20:35).
God is not opposed to "nice things." He created a great number of them, and put man in charge of them all (Ps.115:16). Paul says that God "gives us richly all things to enjoy" (I Tim.6:17). Asceticism is not a universal norm for godliness, as is seen in the difference between John the Baptist (a desert hermit) and Jesus, who attended many feasts and was, as a result, accused of being a wine-bibber and a glutton (Matt.11:18-19). Of course, Jesus was neither a wine-bibber nor a glutton, but He apparently did not live a lifestyle that made that fact obvious to the critical observer.
Jesus did not own much, and probably owned nothing at all but such things as were given to Him as gifts (Luke 8:2-3). His "standard of living" was rather enigmatic. He did wear a rather expensive robe (John 19:23), though He did not have a denarius of His own upon which to show His questioners the face of Caesar (Matt.22:19), nor even the half-shekel (50 cents) with which to pay the temple tax (Matt.17:27). He also had to warn a would-be follower that "The Son of Man has no where to lay his head" (Luke 9:58).
Jesus' disciples, likewise, had "forsaken all" to follow Him (Mark 10:28), but Peter still owned a house, and a fishing boat, and tackle. Barnabas sold a piece of land, and donated the proceeds to the church (Acts 4:36-37). Others, like Mark's mother, owned a house, and used it as a meeting place for Christians (Acts 12:12).
Some in the church were apparently "rich in this world" (1 Tim.6:17), and needed to be instructed to not trust in their uncertain riches, but to be ready to share with others, so as to lay up treasures in heaven.
The New Testament does not teach that God is opposed to Christians having "nice things." However, obedient Christians do not lay up treasures for themselves on earth (Matt.6:19). All that a Christian possesses is held in trust for its owner, who is God (Luke 16:12). So long as any thing is in our possession, it must not be seen as wealth for ourselves. God's interests must be permitted to have instant access to all that we have, or else we cannot in any sense be His disciples (Luke 14:33).
Our standard of living must be determined by our understanding of God's specific calling on our lives, and exactly what God would wish for us to have in order to fulfill that calling. Not all are called to wander homelessly, as Jesus and His band of disciples did, preaching here and there, and living off the generosity of those who benefit spiritually from their ministry. Some, equally worthy of the name "disciple," may live stationary lives, providing constant light in one neighborhood, and showing hospitality to the saints. I assume that this was the case with Mary, Martha and Lazarus, and we know this was so with John's friend Gaius (3 John 5-8).
It is a fact not to be overlooked that most adult Christian women are called to manage a home and rear children (Tit.2:4-6). This usually requires more equipment than that which a single man may need (or even want). It is a significant part of the calling of husbands/fathers to provide the things necessary for their wives to fulfill their callings. "He that is married cares for the things of the world, how he may please his wife." This is not a lower calling. It is stated as a legitimate calling, though Paul would personally have liked to spare single men from such entanglements, whenever possible (1 Cor.7:16ff).
Apart from those things necessary for the fulfilling of God's individual calling upon our lives, I believe we should count any surplus of wealth to be only temporarily in our possession, pending our becoming aware of where God would have it distributed to the needy and to the advance of the Gospel.
If we understand that whatever is given to the poor is lent to the Lord (Prov.19:17), and becomes a part of a treasure in heaven (Luke 12:33/ Mark 10:21), and if we believe what the Gospel teaches about the relative value of "mammon" and "true riches" (Luke 16:11). I should think that it would very exceptional indeed for any of us to hold on to more than we need, and we would find our greater joy in giving than in hoarding--if only out of sanctified self-interest!
It is instructive that, just before Jesus told the young ruler to sell everything and give to the poor, we are told, "Jesus, looking at him, loved him" (Mark 10:21). It is loving, not severe, to advise a man how he might exchange relatively worthless goods for those that have surpassing value.
I know that I, personally, have found much greater blessing (joy) in giving to the Lord than I could find in keeping anything that might be dispersed for His use. This shouldn't be surprising, I suppose. It is what Jesus said would be true (Acts 20:35).
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
In Jesus,
Steve
Steve
Well I wouldn't mind knowing what it was like to have the 10 talents instead of the 1/10 talent I have lol, but in all truth compared to what the Lord has given inside me everything else is worthless.
Jim
Jim
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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Reason: