Is it OK to want to be rich?

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oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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#21
The Bible teach us if we don't work we should not eat, so you will be wrong.
Many people work their fingers to the bone and don't get a dime for it. Great will be their reward in Heaven if they do it for the Lord. Working hard does not always correlate to getting of money, although many in this world seem to think it does. Money is not life's report card.
 
Sep 3, 2016
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#22
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his Commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the Earth (Deuteronomy 28:1)

In this tremendous Chapter, we have a promise of Blessings which are absolutely unparalleled. Some may argue that the Lord did these things for Israel under the Old Covenant, but will not do them for modern Christians under the New Covenant. There is nothing in the Word of God that even remotely lends credence to such an idea. We presently have, in fact, a much better Covenant, based on better Promises than anything in the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:6).

In this panoply of Promises, five great things are said.
They are:

1. "And all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you": This literally means that the blessings of the Lord will literally chase down the individual. What a promise! (Deuteronomy 28:2).

2. "The LORD shall command the Blessing upon you": At this moment, if we will only believe it, the Lord is commanding blessing upon us. We must believe it, expect it, and receive it (Deuteronomy 28:8).

3. "And the LORD shall make you plenteous in goods": "Plenty" is what the Lord here promises. The word "goods" means everything that we need, whatever it might be (Deuteronomy 28:11).

4. "The LORD shall open unto you His good treasure": The Lord here tells us that we Believers literally have access to the treasure house of Heaven. Again, what a Promise! (Deuteronomy 28:12)

5. "And the LORD shall make you the head and not the tail": To use an earthly vernacular, someone, regarding an Alaskan dog-sled team, has well said, "if you're not the lead dog, the view never changes." To continue to use the earthly vernacular, the Lord intends for His People to be the "lead dog" (Deuteronomy 28:13).

All of this is made possible by the Cross!

JSM
Whatever The Need, GOD’S GOT IT!

What God Has Blessed, No One Can Reverse It!
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#23
Even though I admit I would love to have money I cannot be trusted with it I used to have to have my money out of reach because I just gave it all away I am not good at saving money even with what little I do have I have this giving away or spending it on others kind of mentality.
It appears that you need a proper balance between generosity and prudence. If you fail to put aside some of your income in a reserve fund or emergency fund (when you can do so) then you are not being a good steward either.

The Bible says that we are not only to provide for ourselves (since those who will not work may not eat), but also for those who might depend on us (immediate family members). This should not prevent generosity to others if there is cash available. Those who minister to the material and physical needs of needy brothers and sister (and if possible others) minister to Christ (as we know from Scripture).

The Bible shows us that wealth IN ITSELF is not evil. It is THE LOVE OF MONEY (avarice, greed, covetousness) which is evil. So the more cash you have, the more good you can accomplish. But there is no virtue in poverty as such.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
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#24
It appears that you need a proper balance between generosity and prudence. If you fail to put aside some of your income in a reserve fund or emergency fund (when you can do so) then you are not being a good steward either.

The Bible says that we are not only to provide for ourselves (since those who will not work may not eat), but also for those who might depend on us (immediate family members). This should not prevent generosity to others if there is cash available. Those who minister to the material and physical needs of needy brothers and sister (and if possible others) minister to Christ (as we know from Scripture).

The Bible shows us that wealth IN ITSELF is not evil. It is THE LOVE OF MONEY (avarice, greed, covetousness) which is evil. So the more cash you have, the more good you can accomplish. But there is no virtue in poverty as such.
Yeah I need to learn to balace being on one side or the other is not good I am doing better at this but not quite where I need to be.
And yes people say money is the root of all evil but that doesn't add up it is just like saying guns kill, guns cannot do anything on their own and niether can money they are both tools.
 
Jan 25, 2015
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#25
Many people work their fingers to the bone and don't get a dime for it. Great will be their reward in Heaven if they do it for the Lord. Working hard does not always correlate to getting of money, although many in this world seem to think it does. Money is not life's report card.
I absolutely agree with this. The argument was if it is not okay to be rich then sell everything and life like a homeless person. That is not the heart of God for his children :)
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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#27
I am not certain but my understanding of the teaching that if a person does not work he does not eat applies to the brethren and assemblies.

It is true if a person does not work for a living it is likely he will not eat either.
 

soggykitten

Well-known member
Jul 3, 2020
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#28
You can be whatever you want to be :) but we have to find out if we are acting in the will of God :)

Enjoy your day
Enjoy yours as well.
I consider everything I have a blessing from God. And as such, believe that is because I am in his will being I know I am in his church and his holy spirit is in me. I pray you feel the same peace as well.
 

soggykitten

Well-known member
Jul 3, 2020
2,322
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#29
I absolutely agree with this. The argument was if it is not okay to be rich then sell everything and life like a homeless person. That is not the heart of God for his children :)
No, that isn't exactly what I said. And what I did actually write was not in argument form.
 
Sep 3, 2016
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#30
The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. Proverbs 13:7

4 Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!

5 [a]Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs 23
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
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#31
It appears that you need a proper balance between generosity and prudence. If you fail to put aside some of your income in a reserve fund or emergency fund (when you can do so) then you are not being a good steward either.
Lots of great men of God have done the very thing that you so harshly criticize. They have given all without reservation. I am not saying that you should, but God may require it of you someday.

Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
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#32
The argument was if it is not okay to be rich then sell everything and life like a homeless person. That is not the heart of God for his children
Matthew
19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
19:30 But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last [shall be] first.

Acts
4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
4:35 And laid [them] down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, [and] of the country of Cyprus,
4:37 Having land, sold [it], and brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.

Luke
9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain [man] said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay [his] head.
9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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#33
Jesus gave His life-blood for me. That helps me to keep things in proper perspective.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,665
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#34
IF WE MAKE THIS OUR GOAL...............

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee
My blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit
Truly knowing that Thou art mine

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee
My blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me



I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee
My blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me Jesus, take me now

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee
My blessed Savior
I surrender all
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
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#35
Lots of great men of God have done the very thing that you so harshly criticize.
That was certainly not harsh criticism. Just some advice which is fully supported in the Bible.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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#36
The stewardship in the Word is mainly in reference to the care of the good works given each servant. I do not think it ever refers to material possessions except to demonstrated the relation ship of being a good steward in holy matters given to us all.
 
Sep 3, 2016
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#37
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Mal. 3:10

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalms 34:8

Glory be to God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hallelujah
 
Sep 3, 2016
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#38
Joshua 14:12-15

12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.


13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.


14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.


15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.



Only one tribe of the twelve tribes of Israel came out from among the Golden Calf worshippers in Exodus 32. The Way of the Cross might feel lonely, but we are never alone!

We March On!




Out of 603,550 men who were readied for war that came out of Egypt under the power of God (Numbers 1:44-46), only two took their inheritance; Joshua (a type of Christ) and Caleb (a type of the body of Christ) (Matthew 7:14). There is only one message that changes the body of Christ into the image of Christ, and that is Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#39
You wont be rich on earth all the time as thats only temporary but you will be rich in heaven where your treasures are stored forever.

what does it profit a man if he gains the world but loses his soul.
also remember Jesus was homeless. He also gave up his carpentery job to do his minsitry. All the disciples had given up their fishing jobs too.
Only one held on to earthly riches...and he was the one who betrayed Jesus.
 
Sep 3, 2016
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#40
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2

Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalm 35:27