Is it a sin to remain poor?

[SavedByGrace3]

This is not what I meant. I meant we should be content in whatever state we are in

I think what was being asked was this: If we are to "be content in whatever state we are in", then does this mean the lost should be content to be lost, the sick be content to be sick, the impoverished be content to see their kids cold and hungry? I do not think you mean this.... I know this is not what Paul meant.

 

[Follower of Christ too]

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am therewith be content. I know BOTH, how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me..

 

[LeeS]

The purpose and the point, the message of the Gospel does not involve finances or finanical betterment or gain. As also Christ's death on the cross.

Anthony,

After one has excepted the gospel and has Christ living in their heart, would you say that is all one can expect from the relationship with Him? I'm not asking this as a dissappointment type question, but would you say that we are saved but left at the hands of our enemy who now does not have our souls, but yet he is free to destroy us in all other ways?

When a human adopts a child it is assumed that the human is going to feed that child and do everything humanly possible to keep them from harm? Would you not apply the same logic to our Heavenly Father? Why does complete provision stop and be limited to fire insurance only?

 

[LeeS]

Well, as i am a child of God i have had my many disasters and troubles as did Jesus, and i believe they happen for a reason. Its doesn't mean you have to turn your back on God, Just trust in him completely that he will help us through the good times as well as the bad.

There was no disaster on Jesus. He willingly laid His life down. It was not taken from Him against His will.

Do you believe what the scripture says about the enemy? That he's come to kill, steal, and destroy? Why have you assumed that it was God who brought the disasters on you? God does not attack His own children.

Yes, He will help us through the bad times. Generally we all experience bad times but we should never expect to set up house there.

 

[LeeS]

I wont get mad at you, i think your sweet. lol
But we will have a difference of opinion ,as you say that God accomplished everything he needed to by Jesus dying on the cross, but the sad fact is there are less Christians today then ever!
As for me avoilding my troubles i would like to know how i could have avoided the death of my darling neice, and four close friends. (All were young)
I dont just pray to God wheen i need things and im quite offeneded by that suggestion. However if it wasnt aimed at me then ignore that! lol
When you say we can avoid early death and sickness by doing specific things that the scriptures say, dont you think by saying that, you are also saying that people who have lost loved ones didn't have enough faith in God?
There are millions of people that have total faith in God, but at the end of the day, God decideds everything so your having faith wont count for much if its not Gods will.
This all seems to be going away from the original thought about being poor! lol

Would you say that at this point in time you know everything there is to know and understand about God and His Word? Why do people become insulted when there is the implication that they may not know something. There are lot's of things that I don't yet know about God and I certaintly would not be offended if someone told me something they know that I don't. That just does not make sence to me.

Jesus did everything He needed to do to give us all that He has. If scripture shows us how to protect ourselves from the enemy, do you not want to know how to do that? I know I would.

 

[Anthony]

Anthony,

After one has excepted the gospel and has Christ living in their heart, would you say that is all one can expect from the relationship with Him? I'm not asking this as a dissappointment type question, but would you say that we are saved but left at the hands of our enemy who now does not have our souls, but yet he is free to destroy us in all other ways?

When a human adopts a child it is assumed that the human is going to feed that child and do everything humanly possible to keep them from harm? Would you not apply the same logic to our Heavenly Father? Why does complete provision stop and be limited to fire insurance only?

The Gospel is only one aspect of our relationship with our Father. He will provide, but his food, money, and clothing provisions is something separate from the promise of salvation given to us in the Gospel. God clothed Adam and Eve right after they sinned, and he sent them out of the garden of Eden. The problem is when people pin their Wish list onto the Gospel and turn it into something else.

When God provides for us; a what level?

One writer put it this way .

God does not prosper a man's business so that he can move from a Ford to a Cadillac. The evil is in being deceived into thinking a $100,000 salary must be accompanied by a $100,000 lifestyle. God has made us to be conduits of his grace. The danger is in thinking the conduit should be lined with gold. It shouldn't. Copper with do.

 

[LeeS]

Oh that's just plain sad what you said there, dont you know there are millions of christians in poor countries all over the world?!
What kind of Christian are you with that attitude!

Did you not read my whole post Rainbow? It is unfair of you to make me out to be a bad Christian because I acknowledge where blessings come from and where cursings come from.

I acknowledged these millions of Christians in poor countries and clarified that those who were being taught of God's provision and believing it, are seeing God meet their needs. David declaird that he had NEVER seen the righteous OR his seed begging for bread. Would you call David a liar?

God says, that He has a plan and a future for each of us. A plan for good and not evil. God has good plans for everyone. However, not everyone comes to the knowledge that will set them free to receive it.

 

[LeeS]

The Gospel is only one aspect of our relationship with our Father. He will provide, but his food, money, and clothing provisions is something separate from the promise of salvation given to us in the Gospel. God clothed Adam and Eve right after they sinned, and he sent them out of the garden of Eden. The problem is when people pin their Wish list onto the Gospel and turn it into something else.

When God provides for us; a what level?

One writer put it this way .

God does not prosper a man's business so that he can move from a Ford to a Cadillac. The evil is in being deceived into thinking a $100,000 salary must be accompanied by a $100,000 lifestyle. God has made us to be conduits of his grace. The danger is in thinking the conduit should be lined with gold. It shouldn't. Copper with do.

I somewhat agree Anthony. I believe that when the Father adopted us, it included anything and everything I would ever need and/or desire for the rest of my days.

Now before you start shouting , it is correct that God does not necessarily prosper a man's business so that he can move from a Ford to a Cadillac. He is a God of more than enough. I can keep the "enough", and the "more" I'm free to do whatever God tells me to with it.

That being said, I also want to point out that scripture says, "give and it shall be given unto you" and "whatsover a man sow's he will reap". So we must also note that some of what appears to be TOO extravagent in your eyes, were actually gifts given to the one's who have it. In Kathryn Kuhlman's auto-biography it was told of how she had a room full of extravegant gifts that people had given her and she was afraid to wear any of it for the criticism she might receive. Imagine that, me having the money or the item to give but the person not using my gift out of critisism from others. I suppose she could have sold the items and given the money to the poor, but that would have been criticised too. The things was, she did give and it was multiplied back to her.

 

[Rainbow.]

Did you not read my whole post Rainbow? It is unfair of you to make me out to be a bad Christian because I acknowledge where blessings come from and where cursings come from.

I acknowledged these millions of Christians in poor countries and clarified that those who were being taught of God's provision and believing it, are seeing God meet their needs. David declaird that he had NEVER seen the righteous OR his seed begging for bread. Would you call David a liar?

God says, that He has a plan and a future for each of us. A plan for good and not evil. God has good plans for everyone. However, not everyone comes to the knowledge that will set them free to receive it.

Yes i did read ALL your posts and im not trying to make you out to be anything.
People will make their own impression of you for themselves by what you write.
As they will of me.
Im sure Jesus loved everyone and did not judge others as you yourself saw fit to do.
But we all have our own view about things and that's what makes us what we are.

 

[LeeS]

Yes i did read ALL your posts and im not trying to make you out to be anything.
People will make their own impression of you for themselves by what you write.
As they will of me.
Im sure Jesus loved everyone and did not judge others as you yourself saw fit to do.
But we all have our own view about things and that's what makes us what we are.

Rainbow,

Contrary to the accusation I was NOT judging anyone. Most, if not all poor countries serve other God's. Why would you assume it is just their bad luck that has put them there? In the Bible, Solomon brought his kingdom under great calamity by allowing his heathen wives to serve their gods.

Jesus does love everyone, however if they know nothing of Him how can they be set free? My heart goes out to these people in the deception they are in. They have never heard. That is why we need to send laborers to bring them in. That is why I myself have gone to other countries to tell them. My heart breaks at what the enemy has done to them.

Those who are being brought in, and are learning of Him and accepting Him are being set free. That is a wonder and a miracle. God is doing good things not bad things.

 

[Rainbow.]

Rainbow,

Contrary to the accusation I was NOT judging anyone. Most, if not all poor countries serve other God's. Why would you assume it is just their bad luck that has put them there? In the Bible, Solomon brought his kingdom under great calamity by allowing his heathen wives to serve their gods.

Jesus does love everyone, however if they know nothing of Him how can they be set free? My heart goes out to these people in the deception they are in. They have never heard. That is why we need to send laborers to bring them in. That is why I myself have gone to other countries to tell them. My heart breaks at what the enemy has done to them.

Those who are being brought in, and are learning of Him and accepting Him are being set free. That is a wonder and a miracle. God is doing good things not bad things.

Your going around in circles discussing things i never even mentioned so i will longer responed to you as your clearing moving off the topic. However if you need to say something else please feel free to pm so other people dont have to listen to us debating issues not related to the thread.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

People are getting upset and maybe we should take a little break. I think everyone here loves God very much and are striving to live for Him in the best way they can.

I can honestly say I am enriched by knowing you and having the opportunity to talk about the things of God with you!

Blessings!
Didy

 

[Rainbow.]

Would you say that at this point in time you know everything there is to know and understand about God and His Word? Why do people become insulted when there is the implication that they may not know something. There are lot's of things that I don't yet know about God and I certaintly would not be offended if someone told me something they know that I don't. That just does not make sence to me.

Jesus did everything He needed to do to give us all that He has. If scripture shows us how to protect ourselves from the enemy, do you not want to know how to do that? I know I would.

Why is it everytime i read something here you seem so fascinated by everything i write!
You seem to be having the other half of this conversation with yourself and not me, because i have no idea about half of what you are talking about!
" There are lot's of things that I don't yet know about God and I certaintly would not be offended if someone told me something they know that I don't. That just does not make sence to me.

Jesus did everything He needed to do to give us all that He has. If scripture shows us how to protect ourselves from the enemy, do you not want to know how to do that? I know I would"
Where have i once written i know everything there is to know about the word?!
And when there are things i want to know i have many wonderful people i can ask to help me out. Just because i dont agree with what you say doesnt make me unwilling to learn!

 

[Rainbow.]

People are getting upset and maybe we should take a little break. I think everyone here loves God very much and are striving to live for Him in the best way they can.

I can honestly say I am enriched by knowing you and having the opportunity to talk about the things of God with you!

Blessings!
Didy

I agree with you 100%.
The only thing i dont like is when people twist things and go off the topic.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

I agree with you 100%.
The only thing i dont like is when people twist things and go off the topic.

I understand Rainbow.... I have known LeeS for a while, and she honestly just wants to share the great things she has discovered about God in His word. Please do not take it wrong when we share. I realize we (I include myself in this) may sound pushy... but that is just because we are excited and that excitement is not transmitted well over the Internet during the heat of a discussion. Believe me... she (we) really just care and want to share. That is why I suggest we walk away and have coke or something.
(Do they have coke "on the other side of the pond"?)

 

[Photini]

So if a doctor is contented with having $100,000 in his bank account, while a break layer is contented with $10,000 in his bank account, and both are Godly, is that OK? Or is the doctor supposed to reduce his amount to a more 'contented' level of $5,000?

It depends, I think. Does the doctor NEED $100,000? Or is some of it excess? It he spending some of it foolishly? It he giving as much as he is able to the Church and to others who struggle to keep $10 in their bank account? Does he need that Mercedes or SUV? or would a less expensive car also get him where he needs to go? Each person has to search their own heart and conscience.
The same goes with me....Do I have any excess? If not, have I spent any money stupidly? Have I tended to my own needs before taking care of someone else who is less fortunate than me?
Being poor CAN be a temptation just as being rich CAN be. It is not the state of poverty or wealth that is the sin, but the state of our hearts and our attitudes. Being poor does not mean that you are not living the Gospel, just as being financially comfortable does not mean that you are living the Gospel.

BTW, I don't think that necessarily poverty in the financial sense means that you aren't having your needs met. I know that I need alot less than I think I do. There have been and probably are many Christians with such faith, that even though they literally have nothing...no money, no food, no home, God still provides for them.

 

[admtaylor]

I do believe that God provides for the believer if that's the essence of the original post. But what providence is that? Are we setting a bar that must be reached before you're truly a believer? You MUST live at a sustaining level or you're not really a believer? Maybe I misunderstood your post.

 

[Twig]

It is a sin to remain poor . . .

It's a secular sin

God never tags or marks remaining poor a sin.

Hello,
Would you please explain what Secular Sin means?

 

[Rainbow.]

.
(Do they have coke "on the other side of the pond"?)

Lol..yes we do, we even have that new tasty vanilla one! yum!

 

[Anthony]

Hello,
Would you please explain what Secular Sin means?

It was sarcam.

Like

It's a sin to leave your sprinklers on and waste water.
It's a sin to throw the left over birthday cake away.
It's a sin to ruin your teeth with smoking cigarettes.
She so talented, it's a sin for her to be just a stay at home Mom.