33 replies to this topic

[komplex]

I believe god does want us to be rich, both spiritually and fiscally. We are all called upon to take care of our families. As well as being good stewards of gods resources, including money. Handling money poorly, throwing it away, not helping those around you, you’re church, and your community. All breed selfishness. My motivation for building wealth has two parts, to insure that my family will be secure. And I love giving, a broke man that can't take care of his own needs can't make much of a difference in others lives. What do you all think about this?

'Sell everything you have.' --Mark 6:21 I read things like that, and second guess my answers..

[HighLife]

God (the creator not the poster in this thread) wants us to be happy. As long as you put no other Gods before him, including your house, iPhone, mercedes ect he will be happy for you. The Lord wants his followers to spread the word as well, and we know that this is something that does take some time and money. As long as you make your church offerings and put no one else before Him he wants us to have everything else we desire that is good and wholesome

[madvillain]

I believe god does want us to be rich, both spiritually and fiscally. We are all called upon to take care of our families. As well as being good stewards of gods resources, including money. Handling money poorly, throwing it away, not helping those around you, you’re church, and your community. All breed selfishness. My motivation for building wealth has two parts, to insure that my family will be secure. And I love giving, a broke man that can't take care of his own needs can't make much of a difference in others lives. What do you all think about this?

'Sell everything you have.' --Mark 6:21 I read things like that, and second guess my answers..

I don't think God really cares about how much money you have. Money is a very human concern and trivial concept to the higher power, as the Bible repeatedly puts forward in the Word. However, what you do with your money and if you help others through charity and other methods is an entirely other topic that I believe God supports.

[gosh]

Again with the absurdity. A simple Human cannot claim to know what I want... It is arrogant and completely unfounded.

I tried to register that name.

Anyways, I don't believe that God would care for us to be "rich" at least not fiscally. Money is worthless other than the value that humans put on it...I think God would much rather that we had rich experiences while enriching the lives of others. There are very few people who do not become greedy when dealing with large amounts of money.

[Jeebus]

There is a big difference between "successful" and "wealthy and powerful"

[NoisyCricket]

Is success and happiness the same thing?

I have a feeling God wants us to be happy. If your definition of happy is being successful then yes I think so. However I'm happy with being happy

[notwist]

I think that God can be whatever helps you achieve happiness and if in your case you think that power and money will make you fulfilled, then yes it is what God wants this for your own self esteem. God is there to grant you serenity when you are in your lowest and highest points and I think that when you are doing the things that make you happy is what is most important.

[TebowSaves]

Depends on what makes you happy...

[Pootiw]

I think God wants us all to live the human experience and to treat others as we would all like to be treated. I also think he doesn't want us to respect him per say as much as he would like us to respect our fellow man. I have faith in my fellow man, I just only hope that he has faith in me.

[whoablossom]

I think the Gospels pretty firmly state that the kingdom of heaven and earth are incompatible. Jesus seemed to have a pretty strong stance on charity and the poor, and especially disliked when money was mixed with religion, which he demonstrated when he disrupted the money collection in the temple. I have a hard time understanding how million dollar evangelical mega-churches reconcile there obvious discrepancy with the Bible.

[Aspirant]

God exists within the realms of spirituality. Those ethereal dimensions that are very delicate and of infinitly fine and subtle energetic matter. Thus, it is obvious that the most condensed and opposite force that exists to this is materialism.

God has zero interest in seeing men or women rich off the fruits of the earth or filled with delusional forms of wealth, such as large metal contraptions or being able to live within huge houses that we can barely inhabit.

Materialism is simply crap when it comes to the interests of God. You have rights to three things: food, clothing and shelter. IF you are following God's Will.

It is not necessarily bad to have nice things like a nice house and a bit of money in the bank. This is only because in today's society if you do not have much money then you will have to work very hard and be unable to provide for your family without terrible efforts. This can harm your spiritual life if you cannot handle such stresses.

Ultimately, however... the persuit of wealth has you worshipping a false idol. You are putting your persuit of money before the persuit of God, because where your persuit is your heart is also. We need to seek "The Kingdom of God" before anything else, and that includes monetary persuits.

We need to go to work, wherever work is... in order to support ourselves and assist humanity. However we should not be concerned with breaking 100k income per year, that is unless you are sacrificing heavily from that hoarde of wealth...

Selfish interests are directly in contrast to Christ because Christ gives selflessly and never asks for anything in return. We must become Imitatus, of Christ.

So. It is a careful line to walk. Gluttony is a sin that expresses through our hoarding of wealth. Envy is the root cause of wanting to accumulate such wealth. Greed is the obvious one. If you partake in such sins, then you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven. Work tiredless to develop the good virtue of chastity, charity, and so forth and you will see your family well taken care of, and many others as well. This will always be at the expense of yourself, and good! Your ego needs to die.

[MortyLivingston]

"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” I think if you go strictly with the Bible you should devote your life to helping the poor. I don't know if that's what God really wants though.

[Dragonessnix]

God wants to have a personal relationship with us, that is why he sacrificed his only son. God also wants us to be good stewards of his money. Does that mean we have to give everything away, of course not. It means that we should do what is right with the money. Number one give back to God, donate money to your local church or anywhere else that is trying to reach the many unbelievers in this world, two, give more than the 10%, this could be money or your time or anything else that is helping others when they need help. Of course you should also pay your living expenses. Only live on what you need not what you want. Now personally I have a lot of trouble with living on what I need, I want a lot of things, but I don't feel like God loves me any less, I just need to learn what is important when it comes to finances, God First, Others Second and Self Last.

[dashboardc33]

Yes, I believe that God does want us to be successful in our own minds. Some people find themselves to be very successful simply working at a grocery store. Others do not find themselves successful until they are a lawyer and have a large mansion for their family. I think the definition of successful is different for everybody. I don't know if God really wants us to be wealthy and powerful in those terms. Perhaps he wants us to be mentally powerful in everything we do and be wealthy in love.

[ssamcd]

I think what God is referring to regarding money is not to let money influence your greed. Do not steal, do not do any bad business deals to get ahead for money. God also feels that people are taking material things in life before the love they should show for their family and freinds. This is how I rememember being tought regarding this subject. I think Gods message is not to acquire wealth though malice or greed or hurting other people. I agree with him on this subject.

[SifuPhil]

... a broke man that can't take care of his own needs can't make much of a difference in others lives. What do you all think about this?

I don't think Jesus had a 401(k) or a lot of blue-chip investments, but he seems to have done alright in making a difference in people's lives ...

[brandnewday]

Yes, I definitely feel that God wants me to be successful. He even mentioned how to do it in the Bible.
In the NIV (New International Version) Joshua 1:8 says, "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." He also wants us to be wise, loving and humble as we achieve these things.

[MoniqueSeibel]

Although I don't believe in a god, I would like to think he would want everyone to be successful. However, I don't think he would limit that definition or attribute it to finance or careers. To me, success comes from finding a healthy balance in your life. Regardless, of your financial situational or career title, if you are at peace with yourself and try to help out others as much as you can, you are leading a very rich and successful life.