When Is Enough Too Much?

[ThePilgrim]

I ran across this quote today:
"… assuming one has the basics for survival, food and shelter, then one can make a good even happy life at any level of income.
There may even be a feeling of relief to be forced to switch from managing and warehousing things to a more Spartan life but one
that is richer intellectually and spiritually. The best things in life remain free. Poverty of the wallet is nothing compared to the poverty of spirit."

It brought to mind questions that have been on my mind for years

Why do today's Christians need so much?
Is poverty necessarily a bad thing?
If poverty is not a bad thing why do so many shun it at the expense of their Christian confession?

The underlined words below in chapter 8; Would that situation in today's America be considered poverty?
Are a nice large house, a nice car, and fancy food necessary to live a life pleasing to God, and are these things even good for us?

Prov 30:7-9

7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:

8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
KJV

Why are there not more of those who live in poverty among the leaders? Why do so many sit under the footstools instead of in a good place?
James 2:1-10


2 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
KJV

God bless,
Larry

[1Timothy115]

I've often wondered why the Lord has provided me as much as he has. He has given spiritually, mentally, physically, and materially.


Psalms 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

I sometimes think of a an old song, Mansion Over the Hilltop.

I’m satisfied with just a cottage below, A little silver and a little gold

I think it all boils down to satisfaction with God's provision.

[John81]

This has long been one of the problems of American Christians and why prosperity preachers are so popular.

God gives to us so we can give to others, not hoard it to ourselves, not to build up wealth. We should take stock of all things, determine what is about our minimal needs and then set our lives to live at near that level. With whatever we are blessed with beyond that we can put it to work for the expansion of God's kingdom.

[1Timothy115]

Yep, nothing wrong with having a lot and if you have a lot it's because God gave it to you. I believe God wants us to give a lot if we have a lot. Also, I believe God will give to those He trusts to give it back.

I believe the principle of Luke 12:48 and Matthew 25:29 can be applied across the entire spectrum of a Christian's life. Spiritually, mentally, physically, and materially.

The old preacher told me...
God doesn't just want the money in the wallet.
God wants the money, the wallet, the hand on the wallet, the man with the hand on the wallet, and the heart, soul, and spirit of the man .
God wants all of us and every talent he gave us to be used to glorify Him.

You can't out give God.

[JerryNumbers]

The problem is, many that claim Jesus as Savior have not took complete advantage of what Jesus offers them, they are not free indeed, they still try to keep up with the people of this world.

Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

They just cannot turn loose from the world & all it has to offer.

[1Timothy115]

The problem is, many that claim Jesus as Savior have not took complete advantage of what Jesus offers them, they are not free indeed, they still try to keep up with the people of this world.

Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

They just cannot turn loose from the world & all it has to offer.

That's probably why the rich man was in hell. God gave it to him to share with Lazarus. He didn't trust God and share what God gave him.

[JerryNumbers]

That's probably why the rich man was in hell. God gave it to him to share with Lazarus. He didn't trust God and share what God gave him.

And it seems few see this, there was a major difference in Lazarus, the Christian, & the rich man who was lost while living in this world.

Of course the rich man had all money would buy him in this life yet only torment in the next life, & Lazarus had nothing in this life & everything money would not buy in the next life.

How many of us are actually peculiar people?