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Discussion Forum : General Topics : "Luxury Living" & "Christians" - A Word of Caution by Eduardo Ramos

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Joined: 2002/12/11
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 Re:

One small point I would highlight that was touched on, is that ministers of the Gospel should not live in great luxury as they are at times supported by God's people.

It is different if a brother owns a business or something and God blesses him in this way to be a help and blessing to others.

But it brings shame to His Name when ministers or full-time workers abuse money and live better then the people they serve or that give to them.

1 Timothy 6 speaks to this:

1 Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, 4 he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, 5 constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such. *
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. 8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. 13 I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, 14 that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. 16 He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.
17 Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith.
Grace be with you. Amen.


_________________
SI Moderator - Greg Gordon

 2016/1/3 15:30Profile









 Re:

Good wisdom, Greg. Those who are supported by others should live at or below their support system. Seems like common sense but not so common anymore.

 2016/1/3 16:58
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Joined: 2011/11/11
Posts: 719
San Diego

 Re: Living large

I was reading somewhere that one Sunday Joel Osteen's offering was stolen, around $600,000. But what really struck me was how little a difference it made- no one collapsed, everything moved on like it was nothing. Good grief, that has to be some really thin air up there!

The lament over the wealth or poverty of Christians is a long story, a major distraction for many who are willing to expend the energy to keep score on their fellow believers.

Paul said this:
Philippians 4:11-12 NKJV
[11] Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: [12] I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. …

There was a time to enjoy the good things of life, a willingness to let them go completely away, an ability to enjoy them again if they come back. But the heart of his affection was the Jesus he knew so personally. Jesus Himself enjoyed a good feast, a high class wedding- even though He needed to resuppy the wine- and He allowed wealthy women who traveled with Him to pay for stuff.

Ultimately wealth and poverty were surprisingly inconsequential to Jesus and Paul, while both warned of the trap that riches set for people. James, as earlier quotes illustrate, was more brutal.

I have found that both both arrogant wealthy people and self-righteous ascetics are equally unpleasant. I believe that the Holy Spirit of God is scanning the hearts of all, looking for His Son- with the external trappings mostly just a distraction. He is looking for those who delight to do His will, people whose hearts are bursting with the same things that are in His own heart, doing things that please Him, blessing His people, building His kingdom.

Compared to the rest of the world I live in regal splendor- though by an American comparison I am lower middle class. It is meaningless really, my heart needs to go each day before the Father's throne- "What are You doing, Father, how can I participate?"

Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not yet here, today is the day!


_________________
Tom Cameron

 2016/1/3 22:06Profile









 Re:

Quote:
I have found that both both arrogant wealthy people and self-righteous ascetics are equally unpleasant. I believe that the Holy Spirit of God is scanning the hearts of all, looking for His Son- with the external trappings mostly just a distraction. He is looking for those who delight to do His will, people whose hearts are bursting with the same things that are in His own heart, doing things that please Him, blessing His people, building His kingdom.

Compared to the rest of the world I live in regal splendor- though by an American comparison I am lower middle class. It is meaningless really, my heart needs to go each day before the Father's throne- "What are You doing, Father, how can I participate?"



Perfect! Well said, Tom.

Praise the Lord.

 2016/1/4 0:49





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