Is it possible to be rich, good and religious?

[igator99]

My wife and I have so many plans, we could definitely use it.

We almost became millionaires during the dot-com boom. Had the charitable foundation all planned, were looking for local needs, etc. Then the bubble burst and everything, well, burst… We were so close.

What I posted was a joke, but, yes, even being philanthropic can become your god.

Being philanthropic can become your god? This stuff is driving me crazy. I would payoff all my brothers and sisters mortgages, nephew and nieces cars, college tuition etc… Then I would setup a grant at my local college. I don’t have to worry it wont happen to me.

 

[montanaman]

Being philanthropic can become your god? This stuff is driving me crazy. I would payoff all my brothers and sisters mortgages, nephew and nieces cars, college tuition etc… Then I would setup a grant at my local college. I don’t have to worry it wont happen to me.

Being the family philanthropist could be a recipe for disaster. People tend not to do well when they’re just given things. Note the words “COULD BE” and “TEND NOT TO.”

And yes, being a philanthropist can become an unhealthy obsession. Anything can. Even, say, posting on message boards.

 

[mercygate]

Then why do some have so much through doing evil deeds and so many have so little that do good things every day?

I know relatively wealthy people who live like ordinary civilians. I personally know one famly that has given away enough money to needy individuals to have built a brand new McMansion for themselves, but they live in a suburban split-level and drive two matching Honda Civics.

Another family I know, where the man earned his fortune without damaging anybody, lives very high – but gives a very high level of philanthropy and are training their kids to “give back.” The twins had their bar/bat mitzvah last weekend, and Mom and Dad had sat down witih them and identified four children’s charities for them to “patronize.” Guests for the bar/bat mitzvah were asked not to give gifts but to contribute to the charities.

 

[mercygate]

Being philanthropic can become your god? This stuff is driving me crazy. I would payoff all my brothers and sisters mortgages, nephew and nieces cars, college tuition etc… Then I would setup a grant at my local college. I don’t have to worry it wont happen to me.

I think what he meant – and what I have seen from some of my “philanthropic” relatives, is that the adulation one receives, even the self-contratulation can become a source of morally damaging pride.

 

[Nordar]

Oh Lord, smite me with wealth.

It’s a cross I’d bear.

* I second that! *

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

And yes, being a philanthropist can become an unhealthy obsession. Anything can. Even, say, posting on message boards.

Who, me?

 

[montanaman]

Who, me?

Nah, not you–yet. You only have 1300+ posts here.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Nah, not you–yet. You only have 1300+ posts here.

Yeah, but this ain’t my only rodeo.

 

[montanaman]

Yeah, but this ain’t my only rodeo.

Lol. Mine either. Tally up all my posts and you’d have something approximating a Code Delta Seven Obsession Emergency.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Isn’t there also a verse about a camel through the eye of a needle? You know the Eye of the Needle is a gate, and not an actual eye of a needle, right? To get a camel through Eye of the Needle took some doing, but it could be done.

 

[igator99]

OutinChgoburbs:
Of course. It does mean it is difficult.

 

[Janee]

Yes it is possible to be rich, good and religious.

Are you not good? of course you are
Are you not rich, you are wonderfully and abundantly blessed in all riches and religiously that what you are my dear…

Cheers.

So you can be all in one: rich, good and religious.

Enjoy

 

[wjp984]

I have no idea how I want to use my God given ability to excel in law school yet, whether it be to get rich or do other good things as well for less money, but I do know this. Law school is brutal and I probably spent more time studying and writing than I will do even at the worst of jobs I can think of having one day which might make me very wealthy.

So it’s not like making money will be easy and there will be lots of long hours and sacrifice to get the money if I choose to do so. So, although I really don’t know how God wants me to use my talents yet, all that being said, the answer to the question is yes.

If I want to become wealty with hard work I think there is plenty of penance involved with the stress and long hours and one can still live a good religious life.

 

[igator99]

I have no idea how I want to use my God given ability to excel in law school yet, whether it be to get rich or do other good things as well for less money, but I do know this. Law school is brutal and I probably spent more time studying and writing than I will do even at the worst of jobs I can think of having one day which might make me very wealthy.

So it’s not like making money will be easy and there will be lots of long hours and sacrifice to get the money if I choose to do so. So, although I really don’t know how God wants me to use my talents yet, all that being said, the answer to the question is yes.

If I want to become wealty with hard work I think there is plenty of penance involved with the stress and long hours and one can still live a good religious life.

This has really struck a nerve with many people. Most of us are Americans on here and we have been conditioned that hardwork will payoff with riches. My personal experience has taught me that hardwork, backstabbing, lies, and fraud work better. We have been conditioned to be in pursuit of the “almight dollar”. However plenty here have shown examples that simple hardwork can make you wealthy and still being able to do good is possible. I think of Sister Thresa of Calcutta giving up a comfortable life to work with the untouchables of Calcutta. How many of us are willing to do that? She died poor. Some on here would have you believe that if your poor it is because you have not worked hard enough. I see to many examples everyday to believe that. Very interesting responses and it gives me even more to pounder.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

This has really struck a nerve with many people. Most of us are Americans on here and we have been conditioned that hardwork will payoff with riches. This is a minority of people, and it happens in other countries as well. The dutch, for example, have a tradition of being shall we say “frugal”. Not all dutch to be sure, possibly a minority, but nonetheless there are the references to the dutch uncle, and dutch treat. And statisically, Americans are the most generous people on the planent in terms of how much money they give, as well as volunteer hours. I don’thave time to look it up now, but there is data that indicates it is so. I think of Sister Thresa of Calcutta giving up a comfortable life to work with the untouchables of Calcutta. Actually, she was already a nun in another order, and hardly wealthy when not a religious.

american.com/archive/2008/march-april-magazine-contents/a-nation-of-givers

america.gov/st/washfile-english/2005/February/200502181639511CJsamohT5.593508e-02.html

(I did manage to find a couple online links.)

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

This has really struck a nerve with many people. Most of us are Americans on here and we have been conditioned that hardwork will payoff with riches. My personal experience has taught me that hardwork, backstabbing, lies, and fraud work better. We have been conditioned to be in pursuit of the “almight dollar”. However plenty here have shown examples that simple hardwork can make you wealthy and still being able to do good is possible. I think of Sister Thresa of Calcutta giving up a comfortable life to work with the untouchables of Calcutta. How many of us are willing to do that? She died poor. Some on here would have you believe that if your poor it is because you have not worked hard enough. I see to many examples everyday to believe that. Very interesting responses and it gives me even more to pounder.

If your personal experience includes backstabbing, then fine. But do not tar everyone who works hard and earns a decent living with the same brush.

 

[igator99]

If your personal experience includes backstabbing, then fine. But do not tar everyone who works hard and earns a decent living with the same brush.

I didn’t do that. In fact some of you guys have opened my eyes. Many people do amass wealth honestly. There is a family in my area that has had a furniture store ( A real big one ). I know the family personally. They are a wonderful group of people. It is a model of a family business. They have aunts, uncles and cousins working there and all making a good living. My experience was just the opposite. What about those that make their money in their sleep and the key here is they do nothing with it but buy pleasure for themselves? Or for that matter those they earn it and do nothing but buy pleasure for themselves? The family store people I know do donate a lot of money. How would we do and what would we do if God blessed us with a lot of wealth? What would be the Christian thing to do with?

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I didn’t do that. In fact some of you guys have opened my eyes. Many people do amass wealth honestly. There is a family in my area that has had a furniture store ( A real big one ). I know the family personally. They are a wonderful group of people. It is a model of a family business. They have aunts, uncles and cousins working there and all making a good living. My experience was just the opposite. What about those that make their money in their sleep and the key here is they do nothing with it but buy pleasure for themselves? Or for that matter those they earn it and do nothing but buy pleasure for themselves? The family store people I know do donate a lot of money. How would we do and what would we do if God blessed us with a lot of wealth? What would be the Christian thing to do with?

We could start by tithing…

 

[ChooseLove]

money is not evil, just as a brick is not evil. it is the LOVE of money that is evil. if you throw a brick at something, than the brick did not do evil, the person throwing it did evil. just as money made by theft, slander, deceit is evil by the person doing it. if you have LOTS of money, you can give LOTS AWAY.

a quote by John Wesley, “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”

Proverbs 13:22, “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.”
Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your throughts will be established.”
Proverbs 14:29, “For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also.”
Proverbs 23:4-5, “Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.”
2 Corinthians 9:7, “God loves a cheerful giver.”

When you have money, extra money, you CAN be a cheerful giver and you CAN leave an inheriatnce to your children’s children.

It is all where your heart is, and that is where evil may or may not reign. The money is not evil.

 

[ChooseLove]

in regards to the tithing issue

Deuteronomy 26:12, “When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase…”
Genesis 28:22, “This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you.”
Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices - mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

A tithe is a tenth of your increase. An offering is above the tithe and are freely given from surplus.

“You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist” Golda Mier

We are designed in God’s image, and we are happiest and most fulfilled when we serve and give.

When we give we are reminded of ownership. Is the money ours, or is it God’s? Everything belongs to God. When we freely give it back to our Creator, we are praising and worshiping God. And lastly, it is spirtual warfare.

We should all be giving a 10% of our increase (gross earning) back to our God, our Creator, our Redemeer!

We started doing this (well only 7%) last year. It was VERY hard to do. DH job hours got cut back. Groceries for 9 people. Bills to be paid. Yet we still made sure that money was there for God. Well when tax time came around… wooo hooo the blessings we recieved! Unbelievable! But the trust for God to take care of us during that time was hard to do! We did it, and He showed us in more ways than just tax time how much He’d take care of us.