Christians and Prosperity: Is it okay to be a "Rich" Christian?

1. 69

   Esenbeeposted 11 years ago

   
   Growing up, I've always heard that Christians should refrain from worldly desires such as buying "current" or "cutting-edge" electronics, jewelry, clothing, etc. I also heard that Christians should be poor just as Jesus was (allegedly) and that being rich or desiring financial increase in your life is un-Godly.
   If Christians serve a prosperous God, why should Christians be poor or refrain from financial increase?

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      pennyofheavenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't see a problem with it. If they become attached to their possessions or abundance, might pose as a problem. Having and enjoying without being attached can be achieved though. It is attachment that tends to make one cling to what is temporary in nature  and prevents one from finding what is not temporary in nature.

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         Esenbeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Exactly! I agree! It's the love or attachment to the money that is a problem with a Christian's walk with Christ.

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      kessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The man who seeks to gain the riches that this world offer, must condition his mind to think in a particular way and this automatically eliminates himself from gaining the necessary knowledge...
      
      The way to knowledge is never white and black in varying degrees but ...
      
      ...White or Black and All or Nothing.. and on which ever way you go, on the extreme end, Life is seen.
      
      This is why murderers and thieves see the kingdom of God before the religious.

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      Emile Rposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Jesus set forth a fine example, but this 'the father knows your needs' and will meet them idea is obviously bogus. You might not be able to live on bread alone, yet you can't live without it.
      
      I would think it was important to consider what you are willing to do to gain wealth, what you do with your wealth and how attached you are to it. Where you feel it stands in your perceived heirarchy of needs.
      
      I know a few incredibly good hearted wealthy people, so I would think it would be possible to be a rich Christian.

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   4. 60

      Disappearingheadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Christians need not be poor or prevented from seeking to increase their wealth. But you cannot serve both God and money, so you must decide what will be your focus.
      If you have a family to support then it is your duty to seek to provide for them and make their lives financially comfortable.
      
      A word of caution though: stay well away from the prosperity gospel. It is a con, charlatans selling snake oil, smooth tongues and plastic smiles peddling the gospel to relieve you from your hard earned cash with made up stories and claims you are building the kingdom. The reality is they are only building their own kingdoms and there is no quicker way to come to poverty than following the prosperity gospel.

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      1. 74

         jacharlessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         +1
         
         
         Adding to that:
         Food, Water, Shelter are the necessities of living. So, ones wealth should apply to that level. Ironically, had a conversation with someone about the cost of living.
         Are you sitting down:
         1.The actual cost to seed nearly 100 food stuffs is less than $200 USD for a lifetime supply. Staggering yes? From just one single seed -not even a whole $2 package of seeds- a person can grow upwards of 10 kilos of ground wheat, per harvest. In two seasons, an entire acre of land would be full of wheat stalks, or corn, rice, etc. Plus ground vegetation, herbs, etc three seasons per year. The toughest one is fruit trees, because they take three and a half years to produce their first fruits {oooh, that sounded prophetic, didn't it? hehe}.
         
         2-3. Water/Sanitation is often included in the housing issue {most places}.
         The cost to build a 3 bedroom house with land lease is about $30 p/sf. So a 2000 sf home costs $60,000 to build, plus extras -and obviously furnishings, tax. Weird how the average home is selling for 10x that price.
         
         So essentially, a family of four (4) would need around $60k to $80k to live, nearly debt free, in a 2,000 sq ft home, with water, solar/electric, and food supply -excluding clothing and luxuries- versus $250k to $1.5m just to sleep and shite, comfortably. Realistically, beyond that, there is no other need for money.
         
         People would essentially only need to work to render unto Caesar their tax and for luxuries, versus slaving just to exist and be apart of the mass hysteria of who wants to be a millionaire.
         James

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            Disappearingheadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            James have you ever seen any of the Zeitgeist documentary movies? A bit overblown in places perhaps but they are thought provoking. The solution is scrapping the entire monetary system, which is a lovely idea but would probably substitute one ism for another with corruption and control at the top.

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   5. 59

      tohimilookposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Christ said that it was HARD for a rich man to enter heaven, he never said IMPOSSIBLE.  I believe that many people think that there is virtue in poverty.  There is none.   A mother with six children and nothing to feed them cannot feel good.  I believe that people can be proud of their riches as well as proud in their poverty.  When the rich man came to Christ he was UNWILLING to follow Jesus.  His materialism was his idol.
      
      Abraham was rich also King Solomon.   I do not subscribed to the idea that being rich and being Christian are incompatible.

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         pennyofheavenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         My mother couldn't often feed us food. We were however feed with all the things money couldn't buy. Like those qualities the bible teaches. Love, compassion etc. Starving didn't matter much growing up. When you are older you tend to appreciate what you have much more than others who might take the same things for granted. You also tend to not become attached to things because you realize the true treasures are what are within.

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      a49eracctposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      As long as we do not put our trust knit, or make an idol orbit it's ok. A general rule is to give 10% of income to the church (called a tithe in the Bible) . The purpose of this is to show God that we trust Him to provide for us. As long as we trust Him and don't worship our bank account, money isn't really an issue.

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         a49eracctposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         In it * idol then* sorry about the auto correct!

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   wildernessposted 11 years ago

   Can you push a camel through the eye of a needle?

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3. 53

   fakesilverposted 11 years ago

   you are right i must say

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4. 75

   Barbara Kayposted 11 years ago

   There is nothing wrong with being wealthy. It is how you use that money.  Having a nice car and house are fine, but we should share our wealth with those in need. I've known some wealthy Christians that shared their worldly goods with others and God just provided them with more money to share. I don't care for the "give me, give me" ministries either, but God does reward us for helping the poor.

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5. 69

   Esenbeeposted 11 years ago

   Thank you to everyone for your responses. I would have to say that I personally don't think it's wrong for Christians to be rich. I believe that since our Heavenly Father always wants the best for those who are obedient to him, he surely wouldn't mind us being billionaires. I posted this forum because the topic of Christians and Prosperity seems to be a hard subject to digest for many people. I'm glad to see the broad variations of answers and ideas that you all have mentioned. Please continue the forum if you like. Thank you!

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6. 66

   awareposted 11 years ago

   Jesus Christ ! sighs

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   1. 69

      Esenbeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      ???

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   pennyofheavenposted 11 years ago

   That must have been aware's mantra for the day lol. A total of six were posted in various threads in the religion forum.

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      Esenbeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      LOL...probably so.

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   DarkSpiritAK47posted 11 years ago

   What bothers me is Christians use their Christianity to gain wealth, power, & influence... I have seen it happen & to be honest it's kind of sickening. Especially people who use their "being a good person/goody two shoes" to do this... I have herd Christians who talk like they are giving answers to a Miss America pageant. I don't know, it is just annoying to me and makes me want to avoid them at all costs just so I can relax rather than get a headache over it. Honestly to some degree it seems as though their intentions are more evil anyway (or at least my gut instinctively tells me so for some reason) rather than good. Like I said, when I run into Christians like that... all I try to do is run away from them (especially when you know $/power/influence is on their mind). I just tend to trust my gut... and I don't care what anyone says about that. It simply works for me... sometimes it is wrong but in my experience it is usually right.

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      DarkSpiritAK47posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      *Christians WHO use

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      1. 69

         Esenbeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I understand what you're saying and there are some Christians who act in this manner. Actually, many Christians who act in the manner that you described perpetuated and/or perpetuates the "poor Christian'' lifestyle. It bothers me that everything in the world seems confusing at times about how to live life.

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   2. 80

      pennyofheavenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Gays here use their gay-ness to gain wealth and power. They congregate together and help each other to achieve whatever. Almost all of the gay community participate.
      
      There is little difference except in what they believe.

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      1. 69

         Esenbeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I've noticed that. They are using the same concept but in a different form to gain riches.

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            pennyofheavenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Yes must be the formula to success. United instead of divided. I like unity.

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9. 61

   rgeterposted 11 years ago

   There is no scripture that promotes God wanting His people to be poor. In fact it says that Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly. Poor is not a form of holiness

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   1. 69

      Esenbeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree! God does not want us to be poor...it's just the tradition of the Church that perpetuates Christian lack for some reason. Lack is not being holy.

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10. 60

    SpanStarposted 11 years ago

    New International
    When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
    
    New American Standard Bible
    "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
    
    International Standard Version
    Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God."
    
    If men had the heart of God wealth would not be a problem but how many people can truly give all that they have? As outlined in the first parable.

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