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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Should saints be rich or poor? | Phil 4:11 | BradK | 133946 | ||
Reighnskye, The short answer is that there is no verse that tells us the "right" amount! We know that Phil. 4:11 instructs us that "in whatever state I am, to be content" and that 4:19 promises that "God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." I know godly people at both ends of the spectrum- Prov. 22:2. I hope this helps, BradK |
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2 | Should saints be rich or poor? | Phil 4:11 | Reighnskye | 133981 | ||
BradK, Thanks for your response. I guess I'm going by the reference here, which suggests to me that the saint should avoid the opposite extremes of either excess or poverty. A similar notion would be with food, avoiding unhealthy gluttony or starvation. - Proverbs 30 7 Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, 9 That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or That I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God. (NAS95) - The accumulation of wealth typically does not come about without a hefty price, whether it be sometimes before or sometimes after it's acquisition. There are those who work hard to obtain riches and use them wisely, but they often have compromised their own health to do so. Sometimes, they even sacrifice things like their own family or church attendence, because they work so hard. Still others may be freely granted wealth via a free inheritance or winning the lottery, but many of these actually tend to spend it all in excessive living for their own ends. Although financially rich, they often cannot handle their wealth, in that it corrupts them. Excessive wealth can sometimes be similar to excessive alcohol. They may both serve to intoxicate. - Blessings, Reighnskye |
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3 | Should saints be rich or poor? | Phil 4:11 | BradK | 133989 | ||
Reinghnskye, Thanks for your reply. Proverbs 30 is a great bit of wisdom. I don't think either extreme poverty or extreme wealth are necessarily something we should strive for. I think you correct to say that there is a balance to be sought. However, neither- in my experience- are mutually exclusive of a close walk with God. We could look at Mother Teresa and the one hand and R.G. Letourneau on the other. I think both were successful and used mightily of the Lord. Because of my business background, I maintain very close contact with a number of individuals who are financially independent and multi-millionaires! They are debt free and live below their means, contributing a great amount to their churches and other ministries. They are a tremendous example and do not abuse their blessings- despite the generally negative portrayal given on TV and in the Media. The bottom line is that this type of individual has succeeded by hard work and effort. I believe scripture supports this endeavor.( Prov. 19:17; 21:5; 2 Thess.3:10) Extreme poverty comes at a huge price as well ( Prov. 19:15). By contrast, those who inherit wealth or win the lottery have not worked by their own sweat to earn what they have and many times we see them suffering the consequences. (Prov.20:21) The lottery is nothing more than chance supported by the State, i.e. Government! It is wrong to the core in my humble opinion! The accumulation of wealth certainly should entail character development- development wrought through the experience of failure time and again coupled with wise counsel. Those who seek quick riches have not developed this. That is the folly of pursuing riches for their own sake. Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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4 | Should saints be rich or poor? | Phil 4:11 | Reighnskye | 134240 | ||
BradK, - Thanks for the many fine points. :) I wonder how some of these verses that you gave me might be interpreted, in light of the physically and/or mentally handicapped, who cannot necessarily support themselves for a living. - 2 Thessalonians 3 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. (NAS95) Proverbs 19 15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger. (NAS95) - Blessings, Reighnskye |
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