How much should be give up?

[Kyleiferous]

Jesus said many times that he wanted his disciples to give up everything. I've been watching this guy on youtube, and he said to give up all earthly entertainment.

I'm not sure if we have to do this. I mean, I realise that we need to make God our priority so surely if we do that, and use TV and films etc as a way of relaxing then it is ok?

I don't know if I should take this part of the Bible seriously because there is so much rehtorical stuff there too.

What do you guys think? I'm willing to make a sacrifice but I don't know how big it should be.

I have the NIV youth Bible (very good by the way) and it says how we should give up everything we have at the back where is has scripture study pages and 5 day reading plans and stuff. But then later on it says how God wants us to have possessions and there is nothing wrong with having things in our life. Then it referes Deuteronomy 28:1-8, where it says "All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God"

We can't study the Bible 24/7 right? And if I gave up on TV and stuff I don't know how I would replace that time glorifying God, seeing as I would have already done my Bible study and prayer for that day. Hmmm.

 

[amaui]

Sacrifice your mind by not watching TV with cursing and fowl humor. God isn't picking bit he doesn't want us to fall into sin by being tempted. or influinced by secular stuff
You will please him by trying to stay far from sin. So no, you don't have to give it up unless it causes you to fall from God.

 

[TimMcKinney]

I can see where this would be a hard area to understand.
You really do have to look at it from the stand point of, What Would Jesus Do?
If the entertainment is of a clean nature, I would think it would be alright.
For example, In Jesus time they had wedding parties and Jesus did attend as we know, but I am sure Jesus would not go to some the parties we have today. (i.e. Raves, Disco Techs, Etc..)
Just follow your heart, if Jesus would not watch it, or attend it.
Then it might not be right for you either.

Hope this helps.

 

[DMMullinax]

Here's how I think it is to be seen as. I don't think entertainment is wrong. I don't really believe Jesus means that you have to live your life void of pleasure. But there is a place for everything, and it can't master us. There's a lot of freedom in Christ, but that comes with balance and not abusing grace by any means. Literally, one of the largest area's of reaching people nowadays, atleast in Western America, is through media, movies, music, art, and all types of communication. I don't think there's anything wrong with using these as a platform for evangelism. But you have to define what's beneficial and good and what isn't and leads to sin. I don't believe it's anyone's place to define what can or can't be used as a tool for the Gospel. We can't limit God that way.

As far as sacrifice, I think Jesus was extremely serious about that. The point is that earth isn't our home, it hasn't been since the garden. We can't be Christians and view our lives on earth as the "real deal" because it's not. So at the base it doesn't really matter what happens to you or if you have to sacrifice everything, heaven is a trillion times better and is in the immediate presence of God. I think the real issue nowadays is that Christians may know this factually, but don't necessarily accept it as a way of living. The sacrifice is dying to yourself daily, and living for Christ, loving people when it's difficult, forgiving them when it feels impossible, and self-control and obedience so that God's purposes are furthered and not ours. Yes, sometimes it may come down to physical death, but again, what are you really losing? It's all about living for God and sacrificing for Him, taking it one day at a time. And none of that means you can't enjoy life and take pleasure in what you do or rest and relax sometimes, it's just not our focus or motivation anymore.

 

[Chany]

The best answer has already been given been DMMullinax, so I'll try to say something original, but it'll probably blend.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying moral entertainment and amusements. However, they are temporary and nothing more than fleeting glimpses of what God is. The problem comes in when you start to see earthly possessions as part of your life.

I can say with a hundred percent certainty that Jesus was speaking literally when it comes to sacrifice. Not to be mean, but it sounds like you're trying to justify and reconcile your wants with God. It's okay to enjoy things, but you can't truly focus entirely on God with other distractions. It's difficult to explain, but God isn't truly the focus of life.

 

[Barricade24]

Here's how I think it is to be seen as. I don't think entertainment is wrong. I don't really believe Jesus means that you have to live your life void of pleasure. But there is a place for everything, and it can't master us. There's a lot of freedom in Christ, but that comes with balance and not abusing grace by any means. Literally, one of the largest area's of reaching people nowadays, atleast in Western America, is through media, movies, music, art, and all types of communication. I don't think there's anything wrong with using these as a platform for evangelism. But you have to define what's beneficial and good and what isn't and leads to sin. I don't believe it's anyone's place to define what can or can't be used as a tool for the Gospel. We can't limit God that way.

As far as sacrifice, I think Jesus was extremely serious about that. The point is that earth isn't our home, it hasn't been since the garden. We can't be Christians and view our lives on earth as the "real deal" because it's not. So at the base it doesn't really matter what happens to you or if you have to sacrifice everything, heaven is a trillion times better and is in the immediate presence of God. I think the real issue nowadays is that Christians may know this factually, but don't necessarily accept it as a way of living. The sacrifice is dying to yourself daily, and living for Christ, loving people when it's difficult, forgiving them when it feels impossible, and self-control and obedience so that God's purposes are furthered and not ours. Yes, sometimes it may come down to physical death, but again, what are you really losing? It's all about living for God and sacrificing for Him, taking it one day at a time. And none of that means you can't enjoy life and take pleasure in what you do or rest and relax sometimes, it's just not our focus or motivation anymore.

You've definitely given me something to think about. I think this is probably what I struggle with most as a Christian. Of course, I know with God all things are possible. This will give me something to talk with God about.

 

[DMMullinax]

You've definitely given me something to think about. I think this is probably what I struggle with most as a Christian. Of course, I know with God all things are possible. This will give me something to talk with God about.

I just think a lot of it is perspective for us. It took me until last year and a lot of godly people in my life and God speaking through His Word for me to see a glimpse of what it means to truly sacrifice, and really almost all of those examples were the lives of others. I still don't really understand it first-hand. Maybe it's a process. But I pray we answer to the call of sacrifice in some way daily, in big and little ways.

 

[clanless]

By giving up everything, I think it means we shouldn't attach ourselves too much to something besides God. Don't put anything before God.
Entertainment is not wrong, as long as you control it and not the other way around.

 

[FlyingOwl]

Well personally, I think as long as these things don't take priority over God and your relationship with Him, then they're fine. In some ways enjoying these things would help you seem more normal and approachable from a non-Christians perspective, and the internet is a good opportunity to live out your faith online. So yeah, as long as it's clean, harmless and God's still number one, then it's just the modern form of relaxation and entertainment in my opinion

 

[HarborOrange]

Here's how I think it is to be seen as. I don't think entertainment is wrong. I don't really believe Jesus means that you have to live your life void of pleasure. But there is a place for everything, and it can't master us. There's a lot of freedom in Christ, but that comes with balance and not abusing grace by any means. Literally, one of the largest area's of reaching people nowadays, atleast in Western America, is through media, movies, music, art, and all types of communication. I don't think there's anything wrong with using these as a platform for evangelism. But you have to define what's beneficial and good and what isn't and leads to sin. I don't believe it's anyone's place to define what can or can't be used as a tool for the Gospel. We can't limit God that way.

As far as sacrifice, I think Jesus was extremely serious about that. The point is that earth isn't our home, it hasn't been since the garden. We can't be Christians and view our lives on earth as the "real deal" because it's not. So at the base it doesn't really matter what happens to you or if you have to sacrifice everything, heaven is a trillion times better and is in the immediate presence of God. I think the real issue nowadays is that Christians may know this factually, but don't necessarily accept it as a way of living. The sacrifice is dying to yourself daily, and living for Christ, loving people when it's difficult, forgiving them when it feels impossible, and self-control and obedience so that God's purposes are furthered and not ours. Yes, sometimes it may come down to physical death, but again, what are you really losing? It's all about living for God and sacrificing for Him, taking it one day at a time. And none of that means you can't enjoy life and take pleasure in what you do or rest and relax sometimes, it's just not our focus or motivation anymore.

Some great points here, for real.

Personally, I'm a minimalist... Or, I strive to be. As soon as I move out, I plan to build my own house- but only one of a small size (400 square feet or so). The music I listen to is deeply ambient, which requires my patience and focus to truly enjoy, and I really only use my guitar and camera for enjoyment, my computer I use for communication and school work.

I do not think feeding into our Commercialist society is a wise plan, nor is it one that I think God wants us to involve ourselves with more than we need to. We were created as creatures of the earth, of the dust, to work the ground and tend to nature. We were not created to stare at iPads or flit our time away on Youtube. That's the way I view it, at least. That, and I personally hate spending more money than I need to and I certainly disdain when I have more than I need. So, it's a lot of personal preference too.

 

[Girder of Loins]

I don't think there is a problem with being rich, as long as you steward it correctly. If given $10 per year, or $200,000 per year, as long as you steward it correctly, you are in God's favor. There is nothing wrong with financial security, but there is something wrong with glutenous spending.