Anyone who honestly reads 1 Timothy chapter 6 knows you cannot be rich and also serve

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ember

Guest
#1
#1
Friends, Chatters and People who Want to Know

Is the title of this thread actually true?

Someone in another thread made this statement and I thought it was a catchy thread title


so, is anyone honest? have you read I Tim 6? are you rich? do you serve God?

let's have some honest discussion here...

if you feel like it, you may also comment on the use of the word 'honest' as it appears in the title, because it
seems to imply that if you do not agree with that statement/title, then, you are not honest...hmmmmm
 
K

KennethC

Guest
#2
#2
This is a very touchy subject and in proper context being rich does not automatically disqualify a person from serving the Lord.

When you start placing your desires on being rich is when that temptation takes over and leads to loving it over God, as money is the root to and not evil of itself. If a person can administer self control and use that money they have mainly on good purposes of helping others in need and supporting the ministry to make it more available to welcome more people into the love of God then no they can have the money and serve God both.

It is when you put the emphasis on the money to where you can not be without it, and you use it just to benefit yourself then you are serving it over the Lord our God. Notice how verse 10 once again speaks on another falling away from the faith do to taking one's focus off God and putting it on money because they have become greedy !!!
 
Blain

Blain

The Word Weaver
#3
Aug 28, 2012
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#3
As I said before it's matter of the persons heart. if a person has God deeply and richly infused in their heart then they can and will serve God no matter how rich one is.
 
E

ember

Guest
#4
#4
KennethC said:
This is a very touchy subject and in proper context being rich does not automatically disqualify a person from serving the Lord.

When you start placing your desires on being rich is when that temptation takes over and leads to loving it over God, as money is the root to and not evil of itself. If a person can administer self control and use that money they have mainly on good purposes of helping others in need and supporting the ministry to make it more available to welcome more people into the love of God then no they can have the money and serve God both.

It is when you put the emphasis on the money to where you can not be without it, and you use it just to benefit yourself then you are serving it over the Lord our God. Notice how verse 10 once again speaks on another falling away from the faith do to taking one's focus off God and putting it on money because they have become greedy !!!
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well, it's only touch if one disagree with scripture! but we know that can happen

I agree about where you place your desires...however, I think we can also pretty much state that ANYTHING that turns us away from God and that we place before Him, is an idol...I'm sure that has been debated many times

I agree with the overall post
 
V

valiant

Senior Member
#5
Mar 22, 2015
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It is the love of money, not money itself which is the root of all evil. Paul was warning us against making money the motive for our living. But someone who seeks to meet a need and forms a business for the purpose with every good intention, may 'accidentally' find themselves rich. All thus lies in motive.

And that is the problem . Can we trust our motives? They are certainly something which need careful examination before God in prayer.

In fact 1 Tim 6 answers its own question/ 'Those who would be rich' are in grave danger. But Paul says that those who ARE rich through no fault of their own, 'should not be haughty, should not set their hopes on uncertain riches, but should set them on God Who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to DO GOOD, be rich in good deeds, and be liberal and generous.' Thus they will establish their futures. Spiritually speaking theirs is the more difficult position. They have so much more responsibility.

But it does demonstrate that Christians can be rich, even in the light of 1 Tim 6.
 
E

ember

Guest
#6
#6
Blain said:
As I said before it's matter of the persons heart. if a person has God deeply and richly infused in their heart then they can and will serve God no matter how rich one is.
Click to expand...

Just this am, I read this verse in Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

That seems to be saying real wealth can be God's blessing...that is, you come by it honestly whether through hard work or by God actually blessing the work of your hands


 
K

KennethC

Guest
#7
#7
ember said:
well, it's only touch if one disagree with scripture! but we know that can happen

I agree about where you place your desires...however, I think we can also pretty much state that ANYTHING that turns us away from God and that we place before Him, is an idol...I'm sure that has been debated many times

I agree with the overall post
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Yes anything can be turned into an idol; TV, cell phone, game systems, computer, and so on..................

The reason why the bible specifically points out money is because money is so much easier for people to fall into temptation with, and a person does not even have to be rich to fall into that temptation.

The world makes a person feel that they can not live unless they have money, but the Lord says do not worry about what you will eat or wear for He will take care of your needs. Do we place our faith in getting our needs met in money or on the Lord ???

That is a question we all should ask ourselves when moving forward in the faith, because the world has made some look away from the true word of God to conforming to the world's ways instead. The Lord did not say the path to salvation is easy and broad, no He said the way is narrow and difficult !!!

Example: How many times have you heard come from Christians, "spare the rod and spoil the child ?"

Did you know that is nowhere in the bible or taught that way in scripture ?
This is what the bible really says;

Proverbs 13:24
He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Bending scriptures or flip flopping the order in them has become a bad teaching in today's churches, and even though you can clearly show by multiple scriptures how endurance comes before salvation. This is still debated and argued !!!
 
Utah

Utah

Banned
#8
Dec 1, 2014
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#8
I never had money and I never will, but I'm one of the wealthiest people you'll ever meet. :)
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#9
Jul 31, 2013
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#9
did Joseph of Arimathea serve God?

did Job serve God?

did Abraham serve God?

did Joseph serve God?

what about David? or any other 'good' king of Israel / Judah ?

there are many examples of wealthy men in the scripture who served God. the scripture referred to in the OP teaches that we can't serve riches and God at the same time -- it does not say that if you are wealthy, you cannot serve God. in fact, it gives wise instruction for those who are rich in this world:


As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
(1 Timothy 6:17-19)
​

this does not say "if you are rich, you must become poor before you can serve God"
it says do not serve your riches - do not be vain because of it, and do not trust in your wealth, but in God. do the same things as a poor man ought to do: be rich in good works.
just because someone has been blessed with wealth does not mean that they cannot be kind, be generous, exercise mercy, honor God in their ways and love the truth. it is "hard" in some ways because riches carry temptations with them that a poor man does not have - but the poor are also tempted in other ways that a rich man is not.

if you are rich, thank God for it!! and use the blessings you have to do good to others, avoiding covetousness and vanity. shouldn't a poor man do the same? being the servant of God does not depend on who you are in the material world, but in spirit. :)
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#10
Nov 24, 2012
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#10
It's just with riches comes a great temptation to trust in them and not God. It takes great faith to be rich and still be godly.
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
#11
#11
The world can view you as being rich but if you are truly God's child you know the material goods are held in trust for Your Father and whatever good works He ask you to accomplish for Him in this world. Niccedemos was rich and so was Philipp and they buried Jesus as befitting a king in rich spices and incense after His crucifixion in a rich man's tomb.

God does not see a rich man as one with material wealth on earth but spiritual good deeds that store up treasure in heaven.

Understanding that God wants us all to be rich and abundant in good deeds and love. To share with other's His riches.
 
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E

ember

Guest
#12
#12
yup...Jesus did say where your heart is, there will your treasure be!
 
E

ember

Guest
#13
#13
Kenneth:

The reason why the bible specifically points out money is because money is so much easier for people to fall into temptation with, and a person does not even have to be rich to fall into that temptation.
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yeah...I'm thinking along the lines that money comes up so often, because with it, we or anyone can purchase what we want...we trade in things for value...money buys these things

We buy what we need, want and desire...for one, buying a new car with cash is nothing...for another buying that same car on payments and loosing the house, is another...in other words, who is the car an idol for?

Maybe that is bumping into a philosophical approach somewhat...
 
InSpiritInTruth

InSpiritInTruth

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#14
Jan 7, 2015
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#14
Luke 12:15
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Matthew 6:19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Matthew 16:26
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#16
#16
ember said:
Friends, Chatters and People who Want to Know

Is the title of this thread actually true?

Someone in another thread made this statement and I thought it was a catchy thread title


so, is anyone honest? have you read I Tim 6? are you rich? do you serve God?

let's have some honest discussion here...

if you feel like it, you may also comment on the use of the word 'honest' as it appears in the title, because it
seems to imply that if you do not agree with that statement/title, then, you are not honest...hmmmmm
Click to expand...
I wonder how some see Abrahams wealth or even David... I also often wonder if folks who don't see Gods blessing and bounty, if they are giving to the poor as they should? I have never given to those in need and not seen God return to me much more. So I don't desire to be rich...I am rich with Gods grace that supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory. My cup runneth over so that I might have to give to those in need. God don't give according to the poverty of our lust but He gives according to riches of His grace.
 
S

skylove7

Guest
#17
#17
Yessss! Is this a care about love an not gold thread?

Whoop whoop...Im curious. I gotta read this lol
 
Utah

Utah

Banned
#18
Dec 1, 2014
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#18
Mitspa said:
I am rich with Gods grace that supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory. My cup runneth over so that I might have to give to those in need. God don't give according to the poverty of our lust but He gives according to riches of His grace.
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Mitspa, this is one of the most eloquent and accurate posts I've ever read. You indeed have much to share and I'm thankful you do so. God bless you. :)
 
S

skylove7

Guest
#19
#19
Utah said:
I never had money and I never will, but I'm one of the wealthiest people you'll ever meet. :)
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Amen Utah! Amen!

When you ease the minds of the sick...being a hospice chaplain!

Yess..your gold is heaven!

You shall be rewarded by God for your kindness.

Proud of your job brother!
 
S

skylove7

Guest
#20
#20
All I know is this...from my heart.

If people in the world would just stop! And think!

Why do they lust diamonds etc...

There are people so disfigured...even blind they cant see pretty stars or dawns.

Why people out there dont think like this I dunno.

But I know...Id rather be poor and think "thank you God...that I am healthy enough to be grateful for my simple things"

We cannot answer or understand other peoples lusts.
Believe me I have tried.

But we can just be ourselves

And love and spread love

Wherever we can :)
 
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