Is anyone feeling bad over being rich?

[Leonhard]

Since mst of us here were are all born into great wealth compared to other countries and the time of Jesus himself. Do anyone feel bad about it?

When my class was on a trip to Spain, I encountered beggers for the first time of my life. I didn't know how to react, there where so many of them and I just felt like giving away all of my money to them. I was held back however, since my parents had told me that some just used it for booze (I didn't want to help them hurt themselves) and some only did it for fun getting away in a car at the end of the day. However I gave all my coins, at the end of every day to a poor guy in front of our hotel, he sat there faithfully everyday. However I still had alot of money and now I kinda feel as if I could have given more!

I give much to charity and also help with the collection, but it is all just drops in the ocean compared to what I make in a year. Sigh... Being rich sure makes for feeling bad!!!

 

[Sketcher]

If I were rich, then maybe I'd have that problem. I can't just buy computers and DVDs at will, I barely have enough for rent, bills, and food.

 

[DawnTillery]

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am NO WHERE NEAR rich, I am able to pay my bills each mth, give my tithing to the church and my kids have their needs met, (NOT WANTS, but NEEDS).. There are so many out there that cant even do a 1/4th of that.
I have some people in my family that cant even afford to keep their electric on, or cloth themselves. I feel guilty. When I can I do give food to organizations that collect food for these people, and I give to Missionary etc.
I think you may feel better about this entire situation if you just gave to TRUE organizations like that, I mean not your whole check but when you see someone collecting food, give some items. You can not on your own feed every person in this world that needs it, I wish we could.. But giving when and what you can has always been the best choice for me.
I know this is March, but maybe you could start thinking about adopting a family at Christmas.. Where you would help them out with christmas dinner and buy a few items for their family. I also know that places that have facilities that house children, need families to take children home with them over christmas.
There are also a lot of organizations out there like habitat for humanity, missions etc that need your TIME, not money... Again it dont have to be just money you give..

I hope that may help..
Its not away to relieve a conscious, but you are helping people and I think thats what you are asking about?

 

[Ave Maria]

If I were rich, then maybe I'd have that problem. I can't just buy computers and DVDs at will, I barely have enough for rent, bills, and food.

It's the same with me except that all my needs are taken care of by my Grandparents. I have no income except for what they give me. I moved out on my own about 2 years ago and it may have been a little too soon.

 

[Macca]

Yes, I'm financially well off; it took much prayer to get to where we are.
We asked with the intention of being able to put more into the kingdom.
We don't just give money away willy-nilly, but try very hard to be good stewards of our finances.
The old saying "you can't take it with you" is true, but if you go about it the right way " you can send it on ahead of you".
Macca.

 

[Iron Lion]

People in rich western countrys often suffer from a "guilt complex" when they look at starving people in other countrys and homlessness.

Heres a great passage from the bible where Jesus speaks about wealth.

Matthew 19:16-30

16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Jesus doesnt say that rich people cant get into heaven its just harder. Why? because having grand possesions can take your focus away from God.

Maybe do some of what Jesus says. He doesnt say we have to sell everything we own. (though it would be ideal but in todays western world not practical). But maybe we could sell some things we dont need so much. (does anyone really need 3 tvs) and give that money to organisations that help poor people in your local area. Maye look at getting a sponsor child in a poor country and becoming a member of an foreign aid agency that helps poor people in poor countrys. Any of those things plus giving money to your Church would go about fulfilling what Jesus asked his followers.

We cant be blamed for being born in rich western countrys. But we can go about trying to help people in need in poor countrys and even our own.

Hope this helps some what.

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

To add onto what Iron Lion is saying, I don't think we should feel guilty for the blessings that God has given us. I agree wtih IL that need to re-evaluate our lives, what we have and how we can use our weath to help others. Last year I went through a major downsizing of stuff due to the fact I had that guilt complex. I gave a lot of stuff to charity. I need to do this again. I am blessed that I have a job (that I hate, but God provides for me through this job. I do have some descretionary money and I feel guilty if I go and get my hair done instead of putting the money to good use. It's tough as should I just be using that to help others. Is it wrong that I want to use some of my money for these things? Right now, I don't have an answer.

 

[marciebaby]

I struggled with this too. How do you know if the beggars will use money for food or alcohol? I started always buying extra groceries every time I was at the grocery store to donate to the local food bank, that way if someone stops to ask for money, I can just direct them to the foodbank instead.

 

[vinc]

I agree with and appreciate all the replies made so far.

There is nothing to feel bad if one is rich or poor. For God is an impartial God who respects both the rich and poor alike. And it is our heart-connection with God which is the Most Important thing.

I would even say that one has to be really daring to be a rich person because the world is sympathetic to the poor and likes to exploit the rich. If the poor are suffering in one way even the rich are suffering in another way.

A great Man of God said, "There are true christians both in palaces and in huts". I think that sentence speaks a lot.

We ought to have this always in our mind that we cannot take our money, jewellery, property or any other possessions to Heaven after our death. All that we possess is God-given.

One ought to be wise while giving their money for charitable purposes (either to the charitable institutions or poor people). As christians we are bound to feel overwhelming sympathy and generosity when we see beggars or poor people but we need to exercise caution and have discernment in this area. Everyone grows wiser by committing a few mistakes in this area too. Sometimes money can be given. Sometimes useful goods can be given.

There is a quote, "If we are rich then we must be rich in deeds". This means that we must be willing to provide to the necessities of saints and poor people. But, God may not want all of us to throw away all our wealth and become beggars ourselves (unless one is led by the Holy Spirit of God do to such a thing).

As much as possible we ought to live financially independent lives so that we may not be as a burden to people. However, this is not for old people, sick people and children.

If we study the lives of Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon and Daniel. There were all extremely rich and had great possessions. Yet, they lived lives which were pleasing to God. If we read the Gospel of James (although not a part of the present Bible canon), we see that Lord Jesus Christ had extremely rich but devout Grandparents - Joachim and Anna, to whom Mary was born after much fastings and prayers. And they lived in Nazareth. They had to leave Nazareth and Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, in a simple room they got, as there was no place in that place and was kept in a manger. Later, they returned back to Nazareth. Lord Jesus Christ was financed by some of His extremely rich but devout followers (Luke 8:3). Joseph of Arimathea who begged Pilate for the body of Lord Jesus Christ after crucifixion, was a rich man (Matthew 27:57-60) who had kept the Lord Jesus Christ's body in his own new tomb which also had a garden around it.

Many of us give more emphasis on one side of the coin in Matthew 19:17-25 and Luke 16:19-31 and give lesser emphasis on the other side of the coin in Matthew 19:26, 1 Corinthians 13:3 and Psalms 51:16,17. One ought to have balanced thinking in this area.

These are some of my honest personal thoughts and opinions.

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

I struggled with this too. How do you know if the beggars will use money for food or alcohol? I started always buying extra groceries every time I was at the grocery store to donate to the local food bank, that way if someone stops to ask for money, I can just direct them to the foodbank instead.

I used to look at it that way, but I look at it from a different perspective now. You are going in with a good heart with giving to a person because they're down. You are not responsible for what that person will do with that money. If they use it for actual food/shelter, then that's great. If they go down to the local liquor store and buy whatever, well, that's something that they'll have to answer for.

But that's a good idea, too. Buy extra and donate to a food pantry.

 

[mrs.wilde]

well, i am rich comnpare to other counties poor and needy. i belive most of us are. so we should not limit our giving to only 10 % of our income. we should give much much more. we have many faithful disciples all over the world working for the Lord. Since we dont have any hardship like those persecuted countries the least we can do for them is support them financially. God is expecting for us to help poor and needy especially brothers and sister in Christ. lets be obedient to Him by helping others by giving as much as we can. then we dont have to feel guilty so much. we should feel guilty if we are giving only 10% of our income. love mrs wilde