Does God want us to be rich?

by Bonnie_Clyde 12 Replies latest jw friends

  • Bonnie_Clyde
    Bonnie_Clyde

    Interesting article in Time magazine (Sept 2006, p. 50) - Jesus said, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?"

    This article states that a growing number of Christians say" the question is better restated, 'Why not gain the whole world plus my soul?'...... Christians should keep an eye on heaven. But the new good news is that God doesn't want us to wait......A God who loves you does not want you to be broke.......John 10:10: 'I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.'

    "The movement's renaissance has infuriated a number of prominent pastors." These guys quote lots of scriptures (like the WT does) suggesting that God wants his followers to live in poverty. Times continues, "Prosperity's defenders claim to be able to match their critics chapter and verse. They caution against broad-brushing a wide spectrum that ranges from pastors who crassly solicit sky's-the-limit financial offerings from their congregations to those whose services tend more toward God-fueled self-help."

    This article is way too long to keep on, other than to say that there is a growing trend towards believeing that God wants us to prosper.

    So I ask the question, do you think God wants us to be rich? My own answer: does he really mind if we are rich? Seems like it would allow us to have more time and resources to help our fellow man.

  • Outaservice
    Outaservice

    What we consider 'poor' in this country, is considered 'rich' in many others. Riches are relative. I do think God wants us to have the necessities to live, but riches, even in our standards can happen but I doubt that God is directly responsible unless he wants and knows you will be using the money for a good cause.

    Some truly godly people I've known have been relatively broke. Others have been rich! Go figure!

    Outaservice (Down in sunny Florida wrapping pennies)

  • The Dragon
    The Dragon

    What is your definition of the word rich and God's? Are they the same?

  • jaguarbass
    jaguarbass

    If I ever make a mistake and find myself joining a religion. I would hope that I join one where their God wants me to be rich happy and healthy. And then delivers the goods. I tried the other way. It wasnt very fulfiling.

  • Lady Liberty
    Lady Liberty

    Dear Bonnie,

    We used to get alot of crap by the friends when we were doing well financially. But I have always thought of it like this:

    Think of King Solomon. He asked Jehovah for wisdom, yet not only did he recieve wisdom, Jehovah blessed him with riches. He was by far the wisest and richest man alive. If riches were bad, would God have blessed him with them? If he felt Solomon was better off without all that wealth, why did he gift it to him. The whole point of the story is that Solomons heart was in the proper place. Riches were not on the forefront of his mind. And so he was blessed for having the right heart condition.

    Too think of Job.. he was not only blessed for his faithfulness by double the amount of children, but double the wealth.

    Obviously Jehovah doesn't feel being wealthy is wrong.

    Sincerely,

    Lady Liberty

  • tetrapod.sapien
    tetrapod.sapien
    do you think God wants us to be rich?

    yes because he loves his followers. no because it will distract them from the truth. and finally neither, because...

    tetra

  • becca1
    becca1

    According to our CO at the last CA, the answer is: NO!

  • lighthouse19something
    lighthouse19something

    Which of your children do you want to be poor? Which one do you want to be sick? Since God claims us as his children, I would say -no he doesn't want us to be poor

    But must people when praying only asks for their needs, so maybe he looks at some of us as spoiled braty kids that only call him when they need something.Moses ask God to not destroy the Jews when they built the golden calf, and he didn't Jonah asked God not to destroy Ninevah, and he didn't.

  • choosing life
    choosing life

    There is a young preacher man (can't remember his name) that makes a really good living off of this teaching. I have seen him interviewed on TV. He has a huge following.

    The sad part is he has taken spiritual teachings and turned them into material ones. And he definately believes that God wants him to be rich.

    Not saying that god does not want you to have physical things, but this guy is so fake I start to think of Jim and Tammy Baker. I don't think that God wants us to be greedy. But he surely wants us to use our talents to provide a good living for ourselves and to help others as we can.

  • Xena
    Xena

    I don't think he really cares much either way.

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit