Is it wrong to spend money on yourself?

[sawdust]

I think we're talking past each other because Psalm 23 can be understood in more than one sense.
When I say, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want," I'm not claiming I have no desires, no prayers, or no concern for other people. Scripture is full of godly desires.
Paul desired the salvation of Israel (Rom. 10:1).
David desired God (Ps. 42:1).
Believers are commanded to pray for one another.
The point of Psalm 23 is not the absence of desire, but the absence of lack.
David's confidence is that because the Lord is his Shepherd, he lacks nothing necessary for God's purpose in his life.
So I have no difficulty petitioning God for the needs of others.
In fact, doing so is an act of love.
The difference is that I bring those desires to God in trust rather than anxiety.
I can sincerely desire someone's healing, salvation, provision, or deliverance while also believing that my Shepherd knows better than I do and will do what is right.
In other words: "I shall not want" does not mean "I have no desires."
It means: "I am content in the care of my Shepherd even while I bring my desires and the needs of others before Him."
I don't think those ideas are in conflict at all.

I responded to a poster that said God did not fulfill wants. I showed He does then you respond to that with a passage that implied you had no wants. Why? What did you hope to achieve?

I think you are the one who is talking past the point. I had no conversation with you until you declared you wanted for nothing.

The only reason we can say that is because the Lord God fulfills them all. Stay on track please.

 

[Burn1986]

Yep, never spend money on yourself. There. Thread over

 

[Gideon300]

God only supplies us with our needs not our wants.

Some people pray amiss to help it upon their lists.

The love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy, and love is the fulfilling of the law.

Jesus told the rich man to sell all he had and give to the poor then he would be perfect to enter heaven for that is love.

The early Church sold all they had and distribution was made for all people that had need.

And they had all things common and did not look on their own as their own which they shared everything and took care of each other.

Paul said if a person is not willing to work then they are not worthy to eat.

Which weed out the lazy ones and say you have to fend for yourself for why should we take care of your no working self.

You know like kids when they turn 18 want to mooch off the parents for a while taking it easy.

The first Church was neglecting how they operated when the Church started.

Which Jesus said they left their first love which they were neglecting the poor and needy and said they were fallen and to correct it.

Because charity, love in action, is greater than faith.

And faith works by love.

No love then no faith.

Which John said do not love in word but in deeds which love is only valid in works which is why the Bible calls it charity.

If people do not care about the poor and needy then that is not love.

What it boils down to is we cannot buy anything for ourself that is not a necessity.

For people are more important than our wants.

This is the New Testament.

So we only go by our needs so no matter how much money we have from our job or another income source we are only to go by our needs and in moderation.

People cry about 10% to give to the Church which some say that not wanting to believe it for that leaves them less money to enjoy for themselves.

But what does 10% mean when you cannot enjoy your wants anyway.

As far as 10 percent in the Old Testament it was to support many cities and priests.

But how can that apply to giving a single man that amount of money coming from a congregation of 300 people.

Which many enjoy their wants and pleasures.

But the truth is the money is supposed to go to the poor and needy not for the preacher's lusts.

So then it can be justified for much money going to a single Church.

I do not know if the tithe is in affect in the New Testament seeing we only go by our needs so all people has to give and only go by their needs which would be a different percentage from person to person.

The Bible says Jesus took the physical ordinances of Israel out of the way so they do not apply.

And the Bible does not say to tithe after Jesus ascended putting the New Testament in affect.

I do not see how the tithe comes in to play when we only go by our needs.

Tithing is not mentioned after the gospels. The principle is each giving according to his ability to those who are in need. In a very real way, God requires 100% of our income. Then He gives us the responsibility of using it for the work of the Kingdom.

I raised this subject because my wife and I were criticised for buying a relatively expensive meal. The person who rebuked us was a guest with us at the time. I wanted to be sure that I was not out of line. I believe that my wife and I have a reasonable balance in our lives. For sure we experience God's blessing.​

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

I grew up in a home where money was always an issue. My father was an alcoholic and liked to gamble. My mother was a worker and kept the family afloat (4 kids). I was mean with money. I only gave what I thought I could afford, which was never much. Over many, many years, God changed my attitude and I began to have a giving attitude. I like to give now.

I detest the so-called prosperity gospel peddlers. It works for them, that's for sure. But God will deal with those users in due time.​