Desiring to be rich is a snare.

[compassion 4 humanity]

1 Timothy 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Any thoughts on this scripture?

Being rich isn’t a bad thing by default. Warren Buffett, a multibillionaire who is among the world’s wealthiest men, lives in a middle class home, drives a normal car, and isn’t consumed by greed or materialism. In fact, he has donated billions of dollars to charity and plans to give billions more when he dies. Basically, being rich isn’t bad, but being greedy and selfish is.

 

[W2L]

Being rich isn’t a bad thing by default. Warren Buffett, a multibillionaire who is among the world’s wealthiest men, lives in a middle class home, drives a normal car, and isn’t consumed by greed or materialism. In fact, he has donated billions of dollars to charity and plans to give billions more when he dies. Basically, being rich isn’t bad, but being greedy and selfish is.

Is he storing His wealth in heaven or on earth? If he lives such a modest lifestyle why would he need billions of dollars?

 

[ToBeLoved]

Being rich isn’t a bad thing by default. Warren Buffett, a multibillionaire who is among the world’s wealthiest men, lives in a middle class home, drives a normal car, and isn’t consumed by greed or materialism. In fact, he has donated billions of dollars to charity and plans to give billions more when he dies. Basically, being rich isn’t bad, but being greedy and selfish is.

So I take it you are rich and are sharing your personal experience that it is not a snare?

Also, if I had a million dollars, it wouldn't bother me that I didn't have 10 million. But if I was starving, I'd be happy with a cracker.

 

[compassion 4 humanity]

So I take it you are rich and are sharing your personal experience that it is not a snare?

Also, if I had a million dollars, it wouldn't bother me that I didn't have 10 million. But if I was starving, I'd be happy with a cracker.

Uh, no. I was making the point that being rich isn’t sinful by default, and I substantiated my thesis with the example of Warren Buffett, a multibillionaire who lives a humble, selfless life. My post wasn’t hard to understand.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Uh, no. I was making the point that being rich isn’t sinful by default, and I substantiated my thesis with the example of Warren Buffett, a multibillionaire who lives a humble, selfless life. My post wasn’t hard to understand.

But the issue I have with your post is that zjesussaid to seek the spiritual things which are of God.

So how do you know that Warren Buffets wealth is helping Him in Gods Kindom which is non material?

Christ said to Pilate when asked if He was King of the Jews, that His Kingdom is not of this world, but of heaven. Christ said that IF His Kingdom were of this world, His disciples would fight to keep Him in this world, but since it is NOT, He and the disciples do not fight that He stay. Right before HisCrucifiction.

So my point is show me that wealth is not a snare to the things of God?

Also the verse says that it is a ‘snare’, not a ‘sin’.

 

[W2L]

Uh, no. I was making the point that being rich isn’t sinful by default, and I substantiated my thesis with the example of Warren Buffett, a multibillionaire who lives a humble, selfless life. My post wasn’t hard to understand.

Do not store money on earth, thats what the Lord said. Thats being selfless.

 

[claninja]

What is material is often at odds with the spiritual. Paul is not wrong.

Jesus said do not store earthly treasures but treasures in heaven.

Jesus went farther
And said His Kingdom is not here either.

You guys who love your stuff do what you want but own where your treasure is.

I agree with you completely.
The statement you quoted was sarcasm.

 

[RaymondG]

"Let those who desire to be poor, be poor. And Let those who desire to be rich, be rich. Let those who desire to switch, switch. As for the true worshipers in Spirit? In the end, God will decide, which is which." RaymondG

 

[W2L]

"Let those who desire to be poor, be poor. And Let those who desire to be rich, be rich. Let those who desire to switch, switch. As for the true worshipers in Spirit? In the end, God will decide, which is which." RaymondG

Doesn't that contradict scripture though?

 

[W2L]

We are content. That's what Paul teaches us.

 

[RaymondG]

Doesn't that contradict scripture though?

No it doesn't. I never thought that being materially rich was bad, but I did, for decades, link scriptures of riches and treasures to things of this world. So I understand everyone's position. But when you taste of the heavenly kingdom.....you will no longer be able to look at anyone in this world and say "He has more than I have...."

 

[RaymondG]

When one is truly content, The only time they care about what the next man has, is when they want to bless them with more....

 

[W2L]

No it doesn't. I never thought that being materially rich was bad, but I did, for decades, link scriptures of riches and treasures to things of this world. So I understand everyone's position. But when you taste of the heavenly kingdom.....you will no longer be able to look at anyone in this world and say "He has more than I have...."

I don't covet anyone's wealth. Nope. Im no hypocrite. I practice what i preach. The scriptures teach us to be content with what we have. Paul teaches Timothy to be content with food and clothing, and to flee from the desire to be rich because it is a snare.. The LOrd also teaches us not to worry about food and clothing. The Lord also says that we shouldn't store money on earth but in heaven. But hey, if you want to ignore all that scripture thats on you.

 

[W2L]

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

[W2L]

When one is truly content, The only time they care about what the next man has, is when they want to bless them with more....

I already explained that this tread is based on scripture. You are trying to suggest that im covetous, but you may as well call the apostle Paul covetous, and the Lord, because its their words im basing my understanding on.

 

[Wordkeeper]

When one is truly content, The only time they care about what the next man has, is when they want to bless them with more....

Ezekiel 33:8
"When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand.

 

[ToBeLoved]

I already explained that this tread is based on scripture. You are trying to suggest that im covetous, but you may as well call the apostle Paul covetous, and the Lord, because its their words im basing my understanding on.

How was Paul covetous?

 

[W2L]

How was Paul covetous?

He wasnt.

 

[RaymondG]

I don't covet anyone's wealth. Nope. Im no hypocrite. I practice what i preach. The scriptures teach us to be content with what we have. Paul teaches Timothy to be content with food and clothing, and to flee from the desire to be rich because it is a snare.. The LOrd also teaches us not to worry about food and clothing. The Lord also says that we shouldn't store money on earth but in heaven. But hey, if you want to ignore all that scripture thats on you.

This is not about you.....This is for the readers.

The bible teaches to be content with what you have. You preach to only be content when you have what you need and nothing more.....and if you have more, you should no longer be content, but do everything you can to get rid of what you have so that you can have little again....and then be content again. These are very different doctrines.

You can stop trying to make it personal again....your words cannot offend me and it only discredits yourself and your position. I dont want people to ignore your words just because they have insults sprinkled in. Bad fruit cannot fall from a good tree. It is unfortunate that messages are ignored because of the messenger.. but that is just how things are, and we should make note of it.

You preach storing treasure in heaven.....can tell us how not to store them on earth......but havent really explained how to store them in heaven.... So how do you store them in heaven......and how much treasure do you believe you have there now?

 

[RaymondG]

I already explained that this tread is based on scripture. You are trying to suggest that im covetous, but you may as well call the apostle Paul covetous, and the Lord, because its their words im basing my understanding on.

Whenever you quote scripture, you are one hundred percent correct. It is when you interpret them that I disagree.

You feel covetousness in yourself.....this is why you see it in my words. Only God knows the contents of ones heart. Only he can judge where a persons treasure is. Only He know whether or not you are covetous. I am content with what God gave me, so I have no need or no time to judge you by what you have or what you say.

This thread is proof of the correctness of scripture:
".... for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

I leave the judging to the only one who should and can:
"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."