is it bad to like material things

[myquestions]

is it bad to like material things on earth ? didn't god say not to/??? =/.

 

[£amb]

is it bad to like material things on earth ? didn't god say not to/??? =/.

Nothing wrong with enjoying things. But when you start putting these things above God then that's a problem. You are focused on the material thing and not God.

 

[crosspointe]

The only thing I can say is that it depends. God condemns two things (in regards to this post):

The LOVE (as opposed to possession of lots and lots) of money. We would call this greed.

The WORSHIP of things. We call this idolatry. For an example, none of my friends have little statues of a fat Buddha on their kitchen table. But I do know a few whose lives bend to the will of their cars, their houses or their golf game. That is idolatry, when we worship stuff.

 

[crosspointe]

I happen to like some material things as well. I have a great guitar (a Martin) and a great flugelhorn. I like my black sweater and my pearl Ford Thunderbird.

I worship none of these things though and could sell them tomorrow if needed.

Actually, I'm selling the car. Any takers?

 

[thepianist]

is it bad to like material things on earth ? didn't god say not to/??? =/.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying material things here on the earth. It becomes a problem when people put those things above God - make them more important....therefore worship them. Nothing should take our eyes off of the Saviour.

 

[Gentle]

If they don't control you
if they do and you are too attached I say do A "Fight Club" number on them
its the slave aspect that worries me, not morality or spiritually but after awhile it can bloack that too
money can be like coke to people, just need discipline and wisdom with it

peace God bless

 

[myquestions]

is PEOPLE considered as 'material'.
becuase i couldnt' give up my cat or animals or sister or brother for god????????????

 

[£amb]

is PEOPLE considered as 'material'.
becuase i couldnt' give up my cat or animals or sister or brother for god????????????

No..people are considered people..

I can't think of the verse right off the top of my head, but there is a verse saying that we should basically be putting God ahead of everything...including our own family. I wish I had my bible at hand...

 

[BarbB]

is PEOPLE considered as 'material'.
becuase i couldnt' give up my cat or animals or sister or brother for god????????????

Actually, they are considered sort of material. Jesus said to leave everything and follow him. Now, in the 21st Century most Christians are not asked by God to leave everything and become missionaries in Africa, though some willingly give up all material goods and friends and family to do so. What might happen is if you are converted and begin to love Jesus and worship God, you might have to face the animosity of friends and family. In that case, you are required to choose God over them.

No rules for cats, though!

 

[BarbB]

No..people are considered people..

I can't think of the verse right off the top of my head, but there is a verse saying that we should basically be putting God ahead of everything...including our own family. I wish I had my bible at hand...

He he he - I've got the NIV on my computer and still can't find those verses.

 

[£amb]

He he he - I've got the NIV on my computer and still can't find those verses.

Aha! I think I found the verse I was referring to...Matthew 10:37-38 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me."

Sorry newlamb.. I couldn't remember the exact words to make a reference to it. It hit me later on.

 

[pdudgeon]

yep that's the right verse.

but getting back to the material things...it's not bad to appreciate the quality of material things. a well-made watch is a well-made watch. where it gets tricky is in three areas..
1. remember that everything you have comes from God and is only temporarily in your possession. God will one day demand an accounting of how we have used everything He has given us.
2. you are supposed to have enough to take care of your needs and that of your family.
3. if you have more than that, then you share with others as you feel led to. Use the example in Acts 4:32

when it comes to material things, the happiest person is the one who is able to differentiate between a 'need" and a "want". the unhappiest person is one who is driven by greed, always needing "just a little more".

 

[Gentle]

I think they are all a trap to different degrees but no 'right' or 'wrong.'

 

[Kazahel]

is it bad to like material things on earth ? didn't god say not to/??? =/.

The reason why the meek shall inherit the earth is because they place there love inside themselves and not outside themselves. Anotherwords imo the more you place your love into an idol of some sort the less love you have placed inside yourself. All idols crumble over time which is why is it folly to love something that will crumble considering you are eternal.

Everything material should be remembered that it is not immortal so it is silly to worship it. Idols are to be remembered as reminders of this fact. They are simply to remind us that they will crumble and break over time while our internal eternal love will not. So the more idols/material things you have the more chance you will place love into those objects which are doomed in time. We are not doomed in time so it is silly to really love things which are.

The meek shall inherit the earth because they are humble.

 

[Godslilgurlalways]

You are allowed to like material things you should love somthing so much that you worship it, put it above God if so, I am sure he will take it away don't be hooked on things that you start to love it.

 

[Harlan Norris]

is it bad to like material things on earth ? didn't god say not to/??? =/.

Well God says to love him with all your strength and all your heart.If one does this there will not be room in ones heart for the love of money.Jesus said you cannot serve God and mammon.Mammon is described as money in my Bible.So, one can posses material things but one must be careful how important they are compared to God.

 

[The Virginian]

is it bad to like material things on earth ? didn't god say not to/??? =/.

What God, and therefore Jesus (not to mention the Apostles), actually said about earthly things could fill the biggest reservoir one could name! A few of those are:
1. "All things came into being through Him, and without Him nothing has come into being, that has come into being..."
2. When God had finished creating His creation "...He looked at, and said, "It is good..."
3. In the story of The Rich Young Ruler we find that he was not condemned for having riches, rather the truth of "...where your treasure, there will your heart be also..." is clearly seen.
4. Through the stewards who received the talents, we learn that God expects a return on His investment in His servants, and of the goods He has left with them. This is also evident in the story of the Owner of The Vineyard.
5. the Holy Apostle Paul tells us that through the "...love of money, some have suffered shipwreck of their faith, and peirced themselves with many a pang..."

The bottom lline of this is that while we're not condemned for having 'riches', we are condemned for allowing them the place in our hearts which rightly belongs to Almighty God.

 

[calidog]

No..people are considered people..

I can't think of the verse right off the top of my head, but there is a verse saying that we should basically be putting God ahead of everything...including our own family. I wish I had my bible at hand...

ESPECIALLY our family and people.
Luk 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
Luk 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
Luk 12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

 

[calidog]

is PEOPLE considered as 'material'.
becuase i couldnt' give up my cat or animals or sister or brother for god????????????

MORE LIKELY YOU'D HAVE TO GIVE UP YOUR SISTER OR BROTHER. I DON'T THINK YOUR ANIMALS WILL DRAW YOU AWAY FROM THE LORD.

 

[strikerchris0411]

is it bad to like material things on earth ? didn't god say not to/??? =/.

I don't think so, just try not to get selfish