Subject: The Problem with WoF in a nutshell |
Bible Note: "Does Scripture teach that Christians can receive a hundred-fold return on the money they tithe (Mark 10:30)?" "No. In fact, Mark 10:30 has nothing to do with money or riches. It is speaking specifically of those who forsake home and loved ones for the sake of Jesus and the gospel. These individuals will receive a "hundredfold return" in the sense that they become a part of a community of believers. It is in this new community that they find a multiplication of relationships, many of which are ultimately closer and more spiritually meaningful than blood relationships (Mark 3:31-35; Acts 2:41-47; cf. 1 Timothy 5:1,2). Further, God wants us to have a balanced perspective on money. The Bible does not condemn possessions or riches per se. It is not a sin to be wealthy. (Some very godly people in the Bible- Abraham and Job, for example- were quite wealthy.) Rather, God condemns a love of possessions or riches (Luke 16:13; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). A love of material things is a sign that a person is living according to a temporal perspective, not an eternal perspective. What is more, Scripture tells us that a love of money and riches can lead to destruction. The apostle Paul flatly stated that "people who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction" (1 Timothy 6:9). Paul also warned that "there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money ... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:1-5)." [Taken from "The Complete Book of Bible Answers" by Ron Rhodes, 1997, Harvest House Publishers, pg. 289] |