Is it a sin to remain poor?

[razzelflabben]

Okay, I took a break, and even reread some of the posts and now I am really confused. What are we really discussing? The question pur out was Is it a sin to remain in poverty? I have changed my mind on this issue since the discussion. I do believe that for the Christian, it is a sin to remain in poverty however it is a sin for those who God has given money and do not share it. Sin by the very definition, means that I have a choice to make, that of following God or not following God. If my poverty is caused by the oppression of others, what choice to I have? I cannot suddenly chose to my be oppressed, that is a blessing that only God can give.

I find this discussion stimulating and would love to continue but I really am confussed about what we are now discussing. Any help?

 

[Anthony]

I find this discussion stimulating and would love to continue but I really am confussed about what we are now discussing. Any help?

At issue is if being poor is sinning. and are the poor suppose to stop their sinning ways? Sounds strong, and it is, but if being poor is truly a sin, then it should be treated like any other sin.

That being said are we to be looking for and expecting God to bless us with _______ ?

 

[Follower of Christ too]

At issue is if being poor is sinning. and are the poor suppose to stop their sinning ways? Sounds strong, and it is, but if being poor is truly a sin, then it should be treated like any other sin.

That being said are we to be looking for and expecting God to bless us with _______ ?

Mo money???

 

[razzelflabben]

Where in scripture is money equal to God's blessings I can think of inumeral blessings in my own life that have very little to nothing to do with money

I still would like for someone who believes that remaining in poverty is a sin to show me in scripture where any sin is something that is out of our control. A vast number of people in this country and abroad live in poverty because of oppression. How do can we say they are living in sin if they have no choice in whethere they live in poverty or not? Any thoughts? Please help me to understand how one can be living in sin if the situation is not of their choosing and that same situation was placed in thier lives whether allowed by or directly placed there by God. It would seem to me that whether or not God gives someone poverty is a seperate issue from whether or not remaining in poverty is a sin. I am trying desperately to understand how anyone could believe that it is, please help me understand.

 

[Follower of Christ too]

Where in scripture is money equal to God's blessings I can think of inumeral blessings in my own life that have very little to nothing to do with money

I still would like for someone who believes that remaining in poverty is a sin to show me in scripture where any sin is something that is out of our control. A vast number of people in this country and abroad live in poverty because of oppression. How do can we say they are living in sin if they have no choice in whethere they live in poverty or not? Any thoughts? Please help me to understand how one can be living in sin if the situation is not of their choosing and that same situation was placed in thier lives whether allowed by or directly placed there by God. It would seem to me that whether or not God gives someone poverty is a seperate issue from whether or not remaining in poverty is a sin. I am trying desperately to understand how anyone could believe that it is, please help me understand.

Actually I don't think anyone has said it was really a sin to be poor, but that God would rather we all be rich with the riches of the world...At least I hope there's not anyone who feel the poor are sinners. On another thread there is a poll asking when you are closer to God and so far the answer is; when they are down and out and in need.........

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

On another thread there is a poll asking when you are closer to God and so far the answer is; when they are down and out and in need.........

That's really sad that the only time some seek Him with all their hearts is when they want something very sad.

 

[Anthony]

Actually I don't think anyone has said it was really a sin to be poor, but that God would rather we all be rich with the riches of the world...At least I hope there's not anyone who feel the poor are sinners. On another thread there is a poll asking when you are closer to God and so far the answer is; when they are down and out and in need.........

the riches of the world

Now does that mean God's riches, his creation, the natural riches he provided. Does that include all the junk man has created that we consider the riches of this world?

 

[Follower of Christ too]

the riches of the world

Now does that mean God's riches, his creation, the natural riches he provided. Does that include all the junk man has created that we consider the riches of this world?

My idea was to convey the idea of money

 

[Follower of Christ too]

That's really sad that the only time some seek Him with all their hearts is when they want something very sad.

I suppose the way I understand this is like when a sinner hits bottom and they call out to God. Then you have a big God party with all the angels celebrating. I think this is awesome!...Another example is when my son had drowned. No phone, no car nothing but Jesus. So, I sought Him more earnestly and my son was raised up! All i mean to say is that in troubled times some of us seek Him more earnestly than when we are on a mountain top! We all pray and seek Him daily even contiually, but when things go bad one may pray more fervently

 

[Anthony]

My idea was to convey the idea of money

Money is man's creation. God's riches, do they include man's money? God want us to enjoy his riches.

 

[Follower of Christ too]

I wanted to also say that my praises to God are each and every day. Then God does something awesome and I praise Him even more...Had I not ever been in a valley I would not have seen a lot of the miracles that occured. So, I thank God through each and every thing he has done for my family. I do not think being poor was a sin but rather a chance to see the power of God. I do not think being rich is sin either. I know God doesn't judge us by the size of our purse but by our heart

 

[Follower of Christ too]

Money is man's creation. God's riches, do they include man's money? God want us to enjoy his riches.

Render unto Caesar............

 

[razzelflabben]

Render unto Caesar is a comment on paying taxes. Poor or not, we are forces to pay taxes in this country.

I don't think we can have a discussion about poverty and sin unless we also discuss the sins related to money/riches. Sin is sin in God's eyes and maybe this discussion would make more sense if we were talking about financial sins in general.

 

[pmarquette]

Some people cant help being poor, not everyone gets the good luck that you did.
poverty is a relative concept , some are broke at a 100,000.00 a year .... James says your riches are corrupt for you use them for yourself

some are poor for lack of knowledge , some for they married too early , some are in a poor country - poor for they worship other gods , some are poor by choice - lazy , some are poor by birth , some are " poor in spirit .... giving God the credit ....

luck does not exist .... there are blessings of God , curses of the devil , and consequences of our actions
look at the 28th chapter of deuteronomy verses 1 to 20 , the blessing and curse of the Law , Jesus erased verses 7-20 ....

 

[Follower of Christ too]

Render unto Caesar is a comment on paying taxes. Poor or not, we are forces to pay taxes in this country.

I don't think we can have a discussion about poverty and sin unless we also discuss the sins related to money/riches. Sin is sin in God's eyes and maybe this discussion would make more sense if we were talking about financial sins in general.

There is not much more for me to add here. I just think it is horrible that someone could teach that people are going to hell because they are poor I have known too many Godly people who were poor, as I was poor---but rich with the riches of God! I thank God that the poor don't have computers and won't have to read these things. IMO the Bible teaches to be content with what you have.

 

[Droobie]

IMHO: It is not a sin to be poor. I would question the situation where you have opportunity to remedy your situation, but choose to stay where you are. Or perhaps it is a lack of understanding the rights and privileges that we have as sons and daughters of the living God. Deuteronomy 28 has a list of blessings we can expect when we follow His ways. Paul exhorts the Philippian church in their righteous ways, faith and giving and says that God shall meet all their needs. 2 Cor 9:11 tells of how God will make us wealthy in every way, so we can be generous in every way.

We must believe that with God on our side, we can rise up above any situation that life my throw against us. Who here doubts that there is any situation that God cannot turn around. Also remember that God's ways and timing are His own; those who are in need may not see a change immediately. Or perhaps it is not our situation that needs changing, but ourselves?

 

[Photini]

Or perhaps it is not our situation that needs changing, but ourselves?

Very true. Through every trial, we have an opportunity to see into our hearts, and with the grace of God, can see what we still are lacking (Mark 10:21, James 1:4).

When I hear the words of the prophet Isaiah "Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked placed shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth." (Is. 40:3-5, and also Luke 3:5), and also in Psalm 27:11, "Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path." ---I have come to believe that it in our hearts that are changed to handle these mountains, valleys and rough ways. If we can learn to hold our peace and trust in God in all places and tribulations, then no matter what happens we are prepared, and no situation can get the better of us. It is not necessarily the mountain or valley that is changed, but my own sinful perception of it.
When I gaze up at a mountain (or dreadful situation) and can only think "Oh how terrible, surely I cannot be expected to do this! God doesn't want me to undergo this! Look how high it is!" and then proceed to moan about it as I pace around thinking only of how to get around this thing...what does that say about the passion hiding in my heart? But instead, if I never even consider the height of the mountain or depth of the valley, but just press on trusting only in God, I will have, by the grace of God, conquered the mountain without stumbling along the way. Thus He delivered me. And you look back on what you went through, and realise how He sustained you through it all and your peace was preserved. Thus is the greater miracle than being completely healed....but in the face of great tribulation and trial, temptations, though outwardly to unbelievers we appear to be suffering, in truth we are conquering. This is why the way of the Cross is foolishness to unbelievers, but to those who have faith, it is the power of God. IMO.

 

[Rainbow.]

Some people cant help being poor, not everyone gets the good luck that you did.
poverty is a relative concept , some are broke at a 100,000.00 a year .... James says your riches are corrupt for you use them for yourself

some are poor for lack of knowledge , some for they married too early , some are in a poor country - poor for they worship other gods , some are poor by choice - lazy , some are poor by birth , some are " poor in spirit .... giving God the credit ....

luck does not exist .... there are blessings of God , curses of the devil , and consequences of our actions
look at the 28th chapter of deuteronomy verses 1 to 20 , the blessing and curse of the Law , Jesus erased verses 7-20 ....

If you had read my other posts you will see i changed the word luck to the grace of God.
However i do believe that there is such a thing as luck and i dont need to get 1001 responses telling me im wrong as we all have our own opinions and im entitiled to believe whatever i like. God may gives us all blessings, and the devil give curses, but if you've read Job you will see that God also allows the devil to do this for his own reasons.

 

[razzelflabben]

photini, great post.

I happen to know for fact that there are poor people that have access to computers and some even participate in CF. What is really sad is that some of these people do read and hear these things sometimes on a daily basis but that the same people who are judging the poor fail to open their own eyes to the sins you might be commiting by having money and not helping the poor.

Doesn't God say in Matt. 7:1-6 to avoid this type of judgement. Please don't think I am saying that this discussion is judgemental or that any individual in this thread is judging, I'm NOT! My point is that it is too easy to say "you are sinning because you don't have the same financial blessings that I do". My family and I are part of the poverty group you speak of and have been burdened by this poverty for many years now. However, I will also tell you that the blessings that God has placed on our lives and family far outweigh all the riches this world could offer. Sometimes I fear what will happen when God delivers us from poverty, I fear that I might fall into the catagory of those who view money as God's ultimate gift. Daily I pray that God never lets me forget what poverty is and what He would have us do for the impoverished. So many scriptures speak of the wealthy helping and aiding the poor. How many of us really do help?, not just send a can of food to a food bank but really find out what the needs are and meet those needs in the holy and powerful name of Jesus.

Let me give you an example from our own lives. This last year has been an emotional year for us because we have been struggling with poverty and have run out of ways to try to get out. (to poke a whole in many peoples ideas, I have a BS in Ed. My husband has a BS in Ed. an M Div and computer training, we each work an average of 12-14 hour days, 365 days a year. holiday's we drop back to 6-8 hour days so that we can spend time enjoying our children, still we live in poverty) We had an oppertunity to purchase a property that included a business. The business would have been enough to take us out of poverty with some left over. What we needed was help with down payment. With every penny that doesn't pay for housing or heat, spent on food, we have nothing saved for downpayment. We looked eveywhere for help. No one would help us get out of poverty, they were content to sit back (many of them with more than enough) and say I'm sorry, if you would just work harder or spend less, or believe more.... (we take care of ourselves and 5 children on $13000 per year) OUr faith overcame the indifference in the people whom God has given much and we saw miracles happen that lead us to believe that we would be delivered. Now, here comes another challenge to our ideas of poverty. God preformed miracles anyway and we were prepared to move accross the country to a new life. At the last minute, God said no. 'I demenstarted my power with or without the help of the one's I have given much. Now, will you trust me with the rest?' If anyone is interested, I will tell you more of the story, though the story is still being played out in our lives, the point is, we are judged almost daily for our poverty and yet when God's people are given an oppertuntiy to help, they contend themselves with a can of vegetables. I think the question we all must ask, whether rich, poor or inbetween is:
What would God have me do with the gift He has given me?! If God has given you poverty (even for a season) what does He want you to do with that poverty that would glorify Him, If He has given you riches, what would He have you do with them that would glorify the Lord of Lord's and King or King's.

 

[TheScottsMen]

God's Word says I will not lack. I never have. I'm 22. Married and have one son. I'm putting both myself and my wife through college(no financial aid). I'm finishing up my 4th year in Theology and my wife is going for medical school. We have NEVER lacked once. We have never looked for ANYONE to help us and leave us in the dust. Why? Because we put it on God and God alone. If God wishes to bless us more (which he does every single month) he will send someone to us. I'm sorry for your position right now, but God does not lie. If there is something going wrong in our lives, its not because of God, its because of us.