Pastor said something morally questionable

[Hope_Philomena]

Some background: I do not attend the church of this man that I will be talking about. He is a pastor for a nondenominational, Christian rock style church. All of my friends in school go to this church, and I used to go to this church but have since ceased so that I may better explore my spirituality. His church never really suited me.

So this pastor often posts things on Facebook that are… Questionable. Very politically driven things most often But an image that he shared recently is extremely confusing for me.

This is the image:
https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=c8998b55809ff11c72c5c6999ce7c4c5&oe=58DBBFC3

(Sorry that the image is so large, I couldn’t make it smaller for some reason)

This post just… It sort of stunned me? I feel like it goes against Christian teachings such as 1 Timothy 6-9

Am I wrong here? Because I am just kind of freaked out that all my friends go to this man’s church when he posts so many things that I find seriously questionable. Am I blowing this out of proportion? I just wanted a second opinion.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

The terminology “Millionaires vs Broke people” is certainly not Christian, although the sentiments may be positive. Your minister friend didn’t compose this, he just copied it. Don’t take Facebook too seriously.

 

[Hope_Philomena]

The terminology “Millionaires vs Broke people” is certainly not Christian, although the sentiments may be positive. Your minister friend didn’t compose this, he just copied it. Don’t take Facebook too seriously.

He added “Interesting…” when he shared the post which furthered my confusion I suppose.

 

[sallybutler]

As with most generalizations, these are not correct. The habits listed under the millionaire side are just good habits, but they do not guarantee that you will be a millionaire or should even strive to be a millionaire.

Perhaps you should remove that church and the pastor from your feed. While you may still see some of his posts due to your other friends sharing, it will cut down on a lot of them

 

[exnihilo]

There is a lot of truth to the points made in the image. It would probably be better if it was comparing and contrasting success vs unsuccessful people. Also you can be successful and poor, and you can be unsuccessful and rich.

For Christians there is nothing wrong with being wealthy. The problem is an inordinate attachment to wealth.

I wouldn’t be stunned by the post. Social media posts are not well thought out expositions on Christian doctrine. Sometimes people are just being pithy. If you aren’t sure what he truly believes or teaches based on this post the most charitable thing to do would be to ask for clarification. That said as a Christian leader it might be wise to be very judicious with your social media posts.

 

[Tomdstone]

There is a lot of truth to the points made in the image.

I agree. Where I disagree is the use of the words millionaire and broke. I would prefer the use of something like Responsible versus Irresponsible OR perhaps Wise versus unwise.

 

[randomuser]

Some background: I do not attend the church of this man that I will be talking about. He is a pastor for a nondenominational, Christian rock style church. All of my friends in school go to this church, and I used to go to this church but have since ceased so that I may better explore my spirituality. His church never really suited me.

So this pastor often posts things on Facebook that are… Questionable. Very politically driven things most often But an image that he shared recently is extremely confusing for me.

This is the image:
https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=c8998b55809ff11c72c5c6999ce7c4c5&oe=58DBBFC3

(Sorry that the image is so large, I couldn’t make it smaller for some reason)

This post just… It sort of stunned me? I feel like it goes against Christian teachings such as 1 Timothy 6-9

Am I wrong here? Because I am just kind of freaked out that all my friends go to this man’s church when he posts so many things that I find seriously questionable. Am I blowing this out of proportion? I just wanted a second opinion.

I agree with the image, and I don’t see anything remotely objectionable or “morally questionable” about it. The older (and more financially secure) I get, the fewer people I know who watch TV on a daily basis. So, too, do I agree that simple minds talk about things and people greater minds talk about ideas. And I would really be hard-pressed to think of any “successful” people who I could imagine watching TV every night – it’s commonly understood that READING A BOOK is a more valuable use of your time.

 

[robertmidwest]

I agree with the image, and I don’t see anything remotely objectionable or “morally questionable” about it. The older (and more financially secure) I get, the fewer people I know who watch TV on a daily basis. So, too, do I agree that simple minds talk about things and people greater minds talk about ideas. And I would really be hard-pressed to think of any “successful” people who I could imagine watching TV every night – it’s commonly understood that READING A BOOK is a more valuable use of your time.

I agree. I don’t see anything anti-Christian in the post.

Don’t take " Millionaire " label literally, although these positive mindsets will probably lead to some level of financial success.

 

[10gr8kids]

Well, I’m definitely not a millionaire, and I’m not broke. Although I’m closer to broke than a millionaire!

I read daily. I’m too poor to pay for satellite, therefore I don’t watch much TV.
I don’t set many goals for myself, but since I homeschool my children I do set goals for them.
I compliment more than I criticize (hopefully).
I hate change.
I struggle to forgive, but I eventually do. (At least so far)
I’d rather talk about ideas than people.
I am continually learning, but I probably know more than most people. (Hahaha)
What failures? It’s hard to fail when you don’t set goals.

 

[St_Francis]

I agree. Where I disagree is the use of the words millionaire and broke. I would prefer the use of something like Responsible versus Irresponsible OR perhaps Wise versus unwise.

I totally agree (!). But a meme like this works better if you use more shocking terms. I imagine the minister posted itmto get people thinking, not to make a major moral statement.

 

[Hope_Philomena]

I agree with the image, and I don’t see anything remotely objectionable or “morally questionable” about it. The older (and more financially secure) I get, the fewer people I know who watch TV on a daily basis. So, too, do I agree that simple minds talk about things and people greater minds talk about ideas. And I would really be hard-pressed to think of any “successful” people who I could imagine watching TV every night – it’s commonly understood that READING A BOOK is a more valuable use of your time.

What I find wrong about it is that it is directly implying that wealthy people are better than poor people, and that all poor people are lazy whereas the wealthy are universally hardworking. It seems broad, and overly judgmental of economic classes which I don’t think a Christian pastor should be openly supporting.

Example: I’m quite poor and I don’t watch TV, for instance (I find it boring). My friend, who is rich, watches Gossip Girl every night I read daily, she does not. But we are friends nonetheless, and neither of us are above the other based on economic status. I think God would frown upon those who do judge so one-dimensionally.

Which one of these descriptions fit Jesus Christ, who had little to no money?

 

[ComplineSanFran]

For Christians there is nothing wrong with being wealthy. The problem is an inordinate attachment to wealth.

Actually Jesus spoke quite a bit about the wealthy - and rather disparagingly.

from Luke 18:25 - "For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

to James 5:1 - Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.

to Luke 12:33 - Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

And the early Christians did just that. They sold everything and lived in common. As Christ had told them.

 

[10gr8kids]

What I find wrong about it is that it is directly implying that wealthy people are better than poor people, and that all poor people are lazy whereas the wealthy are universally hardworking. It seems broad, and overly judgmental of economic classes which I don’t think a Christian pastor should be openly supporting.

Example: I’m quite poor and I don’t watch TV, for instance (I find it boring). My friend, who is rich, watches Gossip Girl every night I read daily, she does not. But we are friends nonetheless, and neither of us are above the other based on economic status. I think God would frown upon those who do judge so one-dimensionally.

Which one of these descriptions fit Jesus Christ, who had little to no money?

I agree with you, this is a generalization. My grandfather never had a lot of money. He had his own mechanic shop. I can remember my grandmother complaining about all the free work he did. His reward is heaven, it wasn’t material blessings.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

In a general sense this is true, but should not be taken as a blanket observation between the poor and the wealthy. There are many, many poor, that are in a condition that they have little or no control over. There are those that have been born into better situations and circumstances. In a larger overview, it is a judgement in favor of the rich and a certain disrespect for the have-nots. We are not supposed to judge, but we do, and the pastor-perhaps with good intentions-is making a judgement. Also, Christ has said that the poor will always be with us. A person can be poor in the material sense, but super rich with in the spirit. Don’t let it color your understanding of what is important in life-and that should be…color me LOVE for all of God’s children. Peace.

 

[Son_of_Niall]

This “pastor” posted it on FB and is responsible for the message it presents.
Typical right-wing, name-it-and-claim-it prosperity heresy. Since King Donald is getting televangelist Paula White to ‘pray’ at the inauguration, and he was ‘laid hands on’ by all the top rich televangelists, this comes as no great surprise. I fear we will see more of it.
We are in DEEP darkness.

 

[Tomdstone]

Actually Jesus spoke quite a bit about the wealthy - and rather disparagingly.

from Luke 18:25 - “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”.

Is that supposed to be taken literally?

 

[10gr8kids]

This “pastor” posted it on FB and is responsible for the message it presents.
Typical right-wing, name-it-and-claim-it prosperity heresy. Since King Donald is getting televangelist Paula White to ‘pray’ at the inauguration, and he was ‘laid hands on’ by all the top rich televangelists, this comes as no great surprise. I fear we will see more of it.
We are in DEEP darkness.

I don’t agree with this pastor’s post, not that the habits on the left aren’t better than those on the right. Also, the fact that many republicans claim that the rich are rich because they work hard, and that the poor are poor because they’re lazy, is somewhat of an annoyance to me. I’d say the killing of innocents quenches the flame of light more so than the sentiment that the poor are lazy. Yet, I agree, we are living in dark times.

 

[Beryllos]

I don’t see what this has to do with millionaire vs. broke. Some rich people are described by the bad side of that chart, and some poor people by the good side.

It’s social-media junk. Ignore it.

 

[sallybutler]

What I find wrong about it is that it is directly implying that wealthy people are better than poor people, and that all poor people are lazy whereas the wealthy are universally hardworking. It seems broad, and overly judgmental of economic classes which I don’t think a Christian pastor should be openly supporting.

Example: I’m quite poor and I don’t watch TV, for instance (I find it boring). My friend, who is rich, watches Gossip Girl every night I read daily, she does not. But we are friends nonetheless, and neither of us are above the other based on economic status. I think God would frown upon those who do judge so one-dimensionally.

Which one of these descriptions fit Jesus Christ, who had little to no money?

Your instincts are good.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

What I find wrong about it is that it is directly implying that wealthy people are better than poor people, and that all poor people are lazy whereas the wealthy are universally hardworking. It seems broad, and overly judgmental of economic classes which I don’t think a Christian pastor should be openly supporting.

Example: I’m quite poor and I don’t watch TV, for instance (I find it boring). My friend, who is rich, watches Gossip Girl every night I read daily, she does not. But we are friends nonetheless, and neither of us are above the other based on economic status. I think God would frown upon those who do judge so one-dimensionally.

Which one of these descriptions fit Jesus Christ, who had little to no money?

I’ve seen variations of this before that are worded better and convey the message more explicitly that this is suggesting that the habits on the left lead to success (and as stated previously, that’s not necessarily money) while those on the right do not. I think it would be a mistake to interpret this as saying millionaires somehow automatically display those habits or have some advantageous inclination toward better habits. That is, the habits lead to the end result (here, financial status), not that financial status produces certain traits.