Luke 3:11 and Materialism

lismore · Nov 12, 2020

John told them, "If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn't have any. If you have food, share it with someone else." (Luke 3:11)

Hello! How would this passage apply in our day of extreme wealth inequalities?

Would it apply for those who have two cars, two mansions, to give one to those who had none? Is it wrong to have more stuff than we actually need when many people have nothing?

God Bless

bottoWordx · Nov 12, 2020

for what

splish- splash · Nov 12, 2020

I think it all depends, on what The holy spirit is prompting you to do. At the end of the day, what's important is that our fellow brethen have food to eat on their tables, so they don't go hungry.

Tony B · Nov 12, 2020

lismore said:
Would it apply for those who have two cars, two mansions, to give one to those who had none? Is it wrong to have more stuff than we actually need when many people have nothing?

What distresses me about this, is that the inequalities can happen within church groups. That to me is very sad, and quite probably an indictment to the oversight of that group (assuming there is an oversight), that they need to lift their game.

It irked me that some of the larger churches I visited for a while in the past had wealth on show, yet in the same assembly there were people, particularly single parents, that struggled to adequately provide the basics for themselves and their children. Big church buildings, exotic dress, flamboyant worship services, Jesus has left the building people...He wants none of it.

SimpleLiving2019 · Nov 12, 2020

lismore said:
John told them, "If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn't have any. If you have food, share it with someone else." (Luke 3:11)

Hello! How would this passage apply in our day of extreme wealth inequalities?

Would it apply for those who have two cars, two mansions, to give one to those who had none? Is it wrong to have more stuff than we actually need when many people have nothing?

God Bless

It always applies, today included. So long as we give voluntarily from our own abundance in a cheerful manner before the Lord.

If we are eyeing someone else’s stuff and making plans for their stuff through some mechanism, then that would be covetousness and morally wrong. Even our rich neighbor is our neighbor and we can’t covet his stuff.

lismore · Nov 12, 2020

Tony B said:
What distresses me about this, is that the inequalities can happen within church groups.

Hello Tony. Thanks for your reply. Yes I agree.

I found my current church, after some time of searching, they have a hardship fund that all members can contribute to and apply for access to. Which is really good, a good step. I have seen vast wealth inequalities in churches before and it is grieving, in addition to being a poor evangelistic tool. We've gone far from the example of the early church but perhaps can find the ancient path again one step at a time.

In Luke 3:11 the Baptist seemed to be pointing in quite a radical direction.

God Bless

SimpleLiving2019 · Nov 12, 2020

Tony B said:
It irked me that some of the larger churches I visited for a while in the past had wealth on show, yet in the same assembly there were people, particularly single parents, that struggled to adequately provide the basics for themselves and their chikdren. Big church buildings, exotic dress, flamboyant worship services, Jesus has left the building people...He wants none of it.

This is where a lot of Christian charity money goes...towards church overhead. Jesus and the apostles didn’t have much overhead. This is a legitimate gripe and has to change.

Tony B · Nov 12, 2020

lismore said:
Hello Tony. Thank for your reply. Yes I agree.

I found my current church, after some time of searching, they have a hardship fund that all members can contribute to and apply for access to. Which is really good, a good step. I have seen vast wealth inequalities in churches before and it is grieving, in addition to being a poor evangelistic tool. We've gone far from the example of the early church but perhaps can find the ancient path again one step at a time.

In Luke 3:11 the Baptist seemed to be pointing in quite a radical direction.

God Bless

Yep...Back to the future, I say.
And it's not just our resources we should be sharing amongst the church (and others in need), it's our time and faculties too.
Thanks for raising the thread LM, it's good to be reminded of what we ought be doing.
Shalom

Tony B · Nov 12, 2020

SimpleLiving2019 said:
This is where a lot of Christian charity money goes...towards church overhead. Jesus and the apostles didn’t have much overhead. This is a legitimate gripe and has to change.

I agree SL. I have no problem with people being rich, but as Paul said in so many words, don't put your wealth on show, and share it out to those whose need is genuine, and who are worthy of help.

Junia · Nov 13, 2020

Franki(ncense) said:
I think it all depends, on what The holy spirit is prompting you to do. At the end of the day, what's important is that our fellow brethen have food to eat on their tables, so they don't go hungry.

But they need clothing as well. Shelter.medical help. All these are essentail

Junia · Nov 13, 2020

Tony B said:
What distresses me about this, is that the inequalities can happen within church groups. That to me is very sad, and quite probably an indictment to the oversight of that group (assuming there is an oversight), that they need to lift their game.

It irked me that some of the larger churches I visited for a while in the past had wealth on show, yet in the same assembly there were people, particularly single parents, that struggled to adequately provide the basics for themselves and their children. Big church buildings, exotic dress, flamboyant worship services, Jesus has left the building people...He wants none of it.

Yes! The reason Peter and Paul were keen to inform the ladies that their worth and beauty not being about jewellery and fine clothes was because according to historians wealthy women were.treating church like a fashion parade and showing off their expensive pearls and hair threaded with gold. It isn't that jewellery is sinful on itself but showing off wealth is distasteful when their churches were a mix of.different backgrounds

1213 · Nov 13, 2020

lismore said:
John told them, "If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn't have any. If you have food, share it with someone else." (Luke 3:11)

...Would it apply for those who have two cars, two mansions, to give one to those who had none? Is it wrong to have more stuff than we actually need when many people have nothing?
...

I think it I not wrong to have more stuff. But, if someone is without food and clothes, it would be good to share, if you have those. However, it should always be voluntary.

Tony B · Nov 13, 2020

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:
Yes! The reason Peter and Paul were keen to inform the ladies that their worth and beauty not being about jewellery and fine clothes was because according to historians wealthy women were.treating church like a fashion parade and showing off their expensive pearls and hair threaded with gold. It isn't that jewellery is sinful on itself but showing off wealth is distasteful when their churches were a mix of.different backgrounds

Exactly... The apostles emphases were that we always need to consider the affect of our actions on those around us, being sensitive to whether we may embarrass, shame, cause envy, or otherwise drive someone further into a habitual sin. This will include what we wear, eat, and drink. If we don't, then we will be guilty of sinning against our brothers and sisters.

splish- splash · Nov 14, 2020

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:
But they need clothing as well. Shelter.medical help. All these are essentail

Yep! Here i just gave 1 example among the many basic needs they may have. In other words, i simply meant to say, what's important is that their basic needs are met.

RickReads · Nov 14, 2020

Well, without getting carried away, I would say, Western Christianity has a big spiritual problem and the bill is coming due, The price will be paid, set your own houses in order.

Luke 3:11 and Materialism

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