Are Christians Supposed to Be broke/lacking decent material possessions

[Joettastaysblessed]

I hear this alot; it seems like(from what I've read in the Bible and from other Christians) God just want us to live without anything at all and to just be living in trailers and riding useless cars. Is that true?? On the other hand,(mostly in the old testament) it seems like God wants his people to have the best life in life....what Gives??

 

[disciple1]

I hear this alot; it seems like(from what I've read in the Bible and from other Christians) God just want us to live without anything at all and to just be living in trailers and riding useless cars. Is that true?? On the other hand,(mostly in the old testament) it seems like God wants his people to have the best life in life....what Gives??

How much you can have I don't know, Jesus said you will either love money or love God, and you can't serve both, I have very little and like it that way, but I've been studying the bible 35 years. The gift is acceptable according to what one has not according to what one doesn't have.

Proverbs chapter 10 verse 12
Love covers all wrongs.

1 Peter chapter 4 verse 8
Love covers a great many sins.


Matthew chapter 25 verses 31-46
When the Son of Man comes" in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. he will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and got visit you? The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

 

[celestialpearl]

Matthew 6:25 is a good verse here.

I have a personal perspective on this.. I came from a comfortable family, and made choices that inadvertently led to my having much less. While I was so comfortable, I prayed less and felt less needful of God. After arriving in my new state, (and after much complaining) I came to see my situation as a spiritual blessing because it brought me closer to God. Now I am truly thankful I'm not rich, and don't have to deal with the temptations that come along with it. I know this isn't an exact answer, but it's my thoughts on the matter.

 

[All4Christ]

Honestly, I believe it depends on your heart. You can live a comfortable life and follow God, but you cannot put money as your focus. Always give, concern yourself with Christ, loving others, etc. Working hard with a good work ethic is good, but putting it ahead of God is wrong. Think of Joseph if Aramathea. He was a wealthy man, but he gave his new tomb for Jesus and put God before his own needs. Also, remember Jesus’ parable about the 5 talents? Being a Christian is not a guarantee for wealth. I strongly disagree with the prosperity gospel. However, living comfortably is also not a sin. It’s how you live your life that matters - if you are poor, of moderate means, or wealthy. Serve God, not mammon.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Wealth in itself is not sinful. Love of money is, and makes it impossible to seek the spiritual things.

God knows what is best for a person. Some people might become so obsessed with their wealth that it isn't good for them. I once knew a person who should have been a strong Christian, but he had gotten himself a lot of wealth and was constantly torn between the two, worrying about losing the money he had gotten, but drawn to God. He was actually seeking to bank his money and live modestly for the rest of his life, and dedicate his (medical) profession to helping people in need. I hope things worked out for him.

On the other hand, the very poor are sometimes very obsessed with money, coveting continuously. That is very damaging spiritually as well.

And some poor people really have it figured out and are among the most generous and thankful people around.

It's a journey for all of us. It doesn't matter so much how much wealth we have, but how we interact with money and how we use it and how much we value it.

I honestly have struggled with that myself. I've been both very poor, and (sometimes) what I would consider rich (not mansion-rich but nice-house-vacations-spending-money rich, which is far better off than most people in the world). I think Paul had the right of it when he said he had learned to be CONTENT no matter what. It's possible to be discontent with or without money, and both are bad for us spiritually.

I have seen that it is good to be content with much less, while putting the kingdom of God first. At the same time it seems God may give wonderful blessings in such cases. It is also good to be content with much, as that gives the opportunity to be generous in helping others, but it seems very few are trusted with this task.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Matthew 6:25 is a good verse here.

I have a personal perspective on this.. I came from a comfortable family, and made choices that inadvertently led to my having much less. While I was so comfortable, I prayed less and felt less needful of God. After arriving in my new state, (and after much complaining) I came to see my situation as a spiritual blessing because it brought me closer to God. Now I am truly thankful I'm not rich, and don't have to deal with the temptations that come along with it. I know this isn't an exact answer, but it's my thoughts on the matter.

It's wonderful to be able to learn from experience. As you rightly say, it's the Godward perspective to everything - rather than money - that ultimately counts most.

I myself look back and would never have imagined that the way the Lord has wonderfully led would be what would eventually happen.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Gen. 13:
And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.

2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Abraham was blessed with riches. Now that same blessing has come upon us.

Gal. 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Lord Jesus hung on the tree so you and I could have the blessing of Abraham. Believe the word of God, not the opinions of men.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Lord Jesus hung on the tree so you and I could have the blessing of Abraham. Believe the word of God, not the opinions of men.

oops....
That's misconfigured, wittingly or not .....

Left a lot out....

Like "unless you give up everything, you CANNOT be MY disciple"....

and "do NOT store up treasures on earth...."

and "wherever your possessions are, that is where your heart will be also"

and "you CANNOT serve two masters "

and "love of money....."

 

[Tolworth John]

I hear this alot; it seems like(from what I've read in the Bible and from other Christians) God just want us to live without anything at all and to just be living in trailers and riding useless cars. Is that true?? On the other hand,(mostly in the old testament) it seems like God wants his people to have the best life in life....what Gives??

God has given us all different abilities and skills, as well as the ability to use them.
If we are able to earn a good living from them while also honouring God by our livestyle.
Then there is nothing wrong with being a millionaire etc.
It is how we live and what we do with the cash/things we have that count.
There is nothing inherently holy or spiritual in being poor. Some learn to trust God in their poverty, while others will do what ever it takes to meet their needs.

Use your abilities to earn a God honouring living, if you end up rich. Then show God how little ricjes mean to you, live simple and give.

 

[Rescued One]

Part of succeeding is making responsible choices. We should learn from our mistakes. If we mishandled what money we might have had, we should learn to be good stewards of our money. If you're late making a payment, you might be charged a thirty dollars late fee! Don't buy on impulse. If you don't have a car, be grateful you have a bike. If you don't have a bike, be grateful that you have two legs.

GOD BLESS YOU!

 

[Rescued One]

I think Paul had the right of it when he said he had learned to be CONTENT no matter what.

I LOVE the verse:

Philippians 4
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

 

[Faithful Scuff]

I don't believe it matters to God how much we have or how little. It's our heart that matters and our relationship with him.

Philippians 4:12
12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I have had plenty and lived within my means. In turn this allowed me to help others. God did not give me my income to keep to myself. Today I am retired and living on much less. All that I have is paid for by God and his blessings. Do I have extra no, does it bother me no, do I love God less now no, did I love him more when I had plenty no. In fact when I had plenty is when I started back to church.

If Paul can have plenty so can we, we just need to make sure we are right with God.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I don't believe it matters to God how much we have or how little. It's our heart that matters and our relationship with him.

Philippians 4:12
12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I have had plenty and lived within my means. In turn this allowed me to help others. God did not give me my income to keep to myself. Today I am retired and living on much less. All that I have is paid for by God and his blessings. Do I have extra no, does it bother me no, do I love God less now no, did I love him more when I had plenty no. In fact when I had plenty is when I started back to church.

If Paul can have plenty so can we, we just need to make sure we are right with God.

Philippians is a wonderful book, the Epistle of Joy; we can be joyful in abundance and joyful with very, very little.

 

[Kit Sigmon]

I hear this alot; it seems like(from what I've read in the Bible and from other Christians) God just want us to live without anything at all and to just be living in trailers and riding useless cars. Is that true?? On the other hand,(mostly in the old testament) it seems like God wants his people to have the best life in life....what Gives??

The bible shows that there are those who allow wealth to be their God, and there be those who don't let wealth become their God.

Jesus said this to the rich young ruler:
“One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

The Bible records this as the young ruler's response:
"But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property."

And the rich young ruler didn't say a word because Jesus had put his finger on
the young ruler's sin...his love of money/wealth.
Unlike Job in the bible who was wealthy, lost everything but didn't walk away
from God when God allowed Job to endure all that loss and sufferings...God multiplies Job's wealth, restores his health, grants him more children etc.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.
It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.


1 Timothy 6:17-18
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

I've been in this walk with the Lord since childhood and now I'm in my early
fifties and I don't get what you get from reading all of the Bible and striving
to live a godly life.

The Lord don't want us being paupers, living in cardboard boxes and begging
for bread on the street corners.
My family came up out of poverty thanks be to God, who took my family from a shack that didn't have plumbing, no phone, no electricity and empowered us to get wealth so we could be able to live better and increased our ability to help
many others that are without, enable missionaries to serve in other
lands, assist widows and orphans, sustain godly men and women who are
providing us with god honoring programs, music, books etc.

Too many today want wealth just so they can strut around in fine clothes,
bejeweled, drive luxury cars, live in big houses, be in society...in other words, they just to "showboat" and be religious when it suits them.

 

[Sketcher]

You can live that way, but you'll be more dependent on other people and have less to give away yourself. This isn't to endorse the high-rolling lifestyle of prosperity teachers in any way. They give the appearance of hoarding.