> General Discussions
What should our attitude be about success ?
gmik:
I struggle w/ all this too. One thing about shopping is don't go in debt. Never buy what you can't pay for.
Once your'e not in the bondage of tithing, you have to be listening carefully to God's instructions, so that you don't ignore someone in need to pay for an extra pair of shoes.
How do we become cheerful givers, and not feel we own our own money? Do we give to the poor so much so that we don't go to DisneyWorld (for example)? Is that the difference between the called & the chosen?? Living 100% for God and nothing of the world and its pleasures???
We look at the rich pastors and think gee w/ a 20million dollar house, couldn't he have bought a million dollar one and give $19million to the poor???
Is that any different than living in a $200,000 house (fairly average these days) and someone saying why not live in a $100,000 house and give $100,000 to the poor?
How about just rent a small apartment and give most of your salary away? Period.
Where is the line drawn???
Do we read scripture all day?? Never watch TV?? Never read a newspaper or magazine??
I tend to spend a lot of time wasted on silly things and buy stupid stuff. I do always stay in our budget. Recently I have gone hog-wild on the twins and grand daughter. Do I not do that and give the same stuff to a charity???
I have always wanted to talk about this stuff.
Is this all outward man stuff??? And the REALLY important things are what Paul and Peter taught. Walking in the Spirit w/ the fruits of the spirit and adding virtue and love to "these things'?
Anyhow, hope more people post on this. I find it very interesting. Thanks Mr. Snacks.
carol70:
Gena, you completely nailed this for me and got to the heart of all my concerns. I too look forward to hearing other responses!
eggi:
mrsnacks said:
--- Quote ---Now I ask where is the Lord in all this ? He tells us to seek ye first the Kingdom of God first. And then all these things will be added . What are all these things ? Some say our needs such as water, food and shelter. IS that it ?
--- End quote ---
No, that's not IT.
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
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. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mar 10:23-30 KJV)
The Geneva commentary says:
A hundred times as much, if we use the commodities of this life in a proper way, so that we use them in accordance with the will of God, and not just to gain the wealth itself, and to fulfil our greedy desire.
It plainly says:
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.
It's impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, but nothing is impossible for God.
When we spend most of our time trying to get material things, we don't have time for spiritual things. That's just how it is. But when Jesus said that if we seek the kingdom of God we will receive a hundredfold, did he mean that we will have a hundred houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands? No, they are not material things, they are spiritual. We will receive a hundredfold spiritually:
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (
Mat 13:23 KJV)
It doesn't mean that we can't have a house, clothes, material things, but this cannot be our FOCUS:
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (Mat 6:24-25 KJV)
God bless you,
Eirik
Shmeggly:
I think there is a fine line between excess and what is just fine. For us on this forum, I think we know God is working this out in our hearts, and that materialism is a HUGE problem nowadays, as well as people (kids especially) being ungrateful. We live in a consumer culture.
Now having said that, I want my family to have nice things. I want them to be grateful, and not spoiled. Being able to afford them and not go into debt is another thing. It really is a matter of the heart.
I just watched again a movie called "Uprising"....in it the people go through horrific conditions, yet they still smile, laugh etc. Sometimes situations can put things in perspective. What IS important?
To me, it really is a matter of the heart. Carol, when it comes to vehicles, you should not get the least expensive, you should get the most comfortable, reliable, gas saving possible....yet still be able to afford it! (You deserve nice things!)
It's like this....I don't need a Hummer or a Mercedes, but that doesn't mean I have to drive a 10 year old Hyundai Pony or something! :) Middle of the road is good....Honda civic! *I apologize to any Hyundai Pony owners, it was an example only! ;D
Cars are very near and dear to me, as I require one to get to work, and without it, I have no job!
I used to WANT a fancier car to impress people; now I just want a decent reliable vehicle that won't fall apart. My heart attitude has changed, so it changed what type of vehicle I wanted. It's the same for a house; you don't want lack of space, but you don't need a 4000 square foot home for 2 people!
How much stuff is bought, and never used, and is never needed. Our stores are full of STUFF!!! Most of it will never be purchased. It really gets to me how we are driven by this; people buy things to make themselves feel better, and so they don't think about how miserable they are....I saw this in the church bigtime....
I am saying this from a perspective of one who used to buy habitually....to make himself happy....I still love buying stuff, but it is with a different attitude. If I need it or it's useful, then I will look around, compare and try to get the best bang for my buck. Don't get top of the line, but don't get bottom of the barrel garbage either....middle of the road.
But what do I know, I am sitting typing this on my $3000 laptop in my Aston Marton Vanquish ($300,000) at a stoplight, checking the time on my solid gold Rolex, sipping a $10 latte expresso low foam from Starbluks while thinking how my stock can gain a quarter point so I don't have to miss out on my second vacation to Mexico this year....I don't want to rough it! (please realize I'm kidding.... :-)
I think most people know, deep inside, what really is ok, and what is maybe excess....anyway, I hope you also know I'm not judging, just some thoughts I've had....take care....J
jER:
I believe [we] are blessed with things, so that we can bless others (...of course this includes family as well).
And, "My Heart's Desire is to Love God and Serve No Other."
Many Blessings - jER
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