Apostle Paul wrote "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil". How does a person want for all the material possessions for himself and still claim to be a believer of God? (iae. The money not used for common good such as donations, charities, etc.)
In The United States something like 80%(?) of population identify themselves as religious, be it belonging to a particular denomination or just believing in God. The presence of religion in public and private life is ubiquitous, starting from the President of the United States, currency and pledge of allegiance. (I would not have written this thread if American society was largely secular - population largely non-believers).
Then there is the American love affair with money and all it can buy. Undoubtedly, United States is a materialistic society. Many are struck by millionaire-mania, and many others strive to keep up with the Joneses or ever more preferable, topping them in material wealth. At times, ones worth and level of respect is directly associated with the size of the bank account. People dream about wearing Prada or Gucci, driving fancy cars and living in mansions. I would imagine that these behaviors are not solely exhibited by the 20%(?) of non-religious people. The love of money and ambition for materialistic goals seem to be ingrained in the minds of many Americans. Even some men of God (ministers on TV to name a few) ostentatiously exhibit their wealth. They wear large gold jewelry and expensive watches and live in mansions. Should they not, of all the people, live according to the teachings of the bible?
How can the concepts of a largely materialistic society, largely held belief in God, and by extension belief in values of bible such as The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil work in harmony?
Do the people who claim belief in God forget Bible's principles that are not convenient for their lives so that they can acquire more and more material wealth without feeling guilt? Alternately, is it that many people claim love for God, but in reality do not live like a good Christian would, essentially making them false believers? I just don't know ... better ideas?
I am not implying that having money, even lots of it, is bad, or that one should not strive for material wealth even if one is religious. It is what a religious person does with it. Does acquiring money become an all-consuming passion (becoming a slave of money)? Is the money used for good purpose or is it used for becoming powerful? Does having money create greed? I.e. how can a religious person avoid becoming victim of money, the root of all evil, in a materialistic society?
After all the ramblings, my point is that I am trying to figure out how love of money and love of God at the same time can be a harmonious combination.
In The United States something like 80%(?) of population identify themselves as religious, be it belonging to a particular denomination or just believing in God. The presence of religion in public and private life is ubiquitous, starting from the President of the United States, currency and pledge of allegiance. (I would not have written this thread if American society was largely secular - population largely non-believers).
Then there is the American love affair with money and all it can buy. Undoubtedly, United States is a materialistic society. Many are struck by millionaire-mania, and many others strive to keep up with the Joneses or ever more preferable, topping them in material wealth. At times, ones worth and level of respect is directly associated with the size of the bank account. People dream about wearing Prada or Gucci, driving fancy cars and living in mansions. I would imagine that these behaviors are not solely exhibited by the 20%(?) of non-religious people. The love of money and ambition for materialistic goals seem to be ingrained in the minds of many Americans. Even some men of God (ministers on TV to name a few) ostentatiously exhibit their wealth. They wear large gold jewelry and expensive watches and live in mansions. Should they not, of all the people, live according to the teachings of the bible?
How can the concepts of a largely materialistic society, largely held belief in God, and by extension belief in values of bible such as The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil work in harmony?
Do the people who claim belief in God forget Bible's principles that are not convenient for their lives so that they can acquire more and more material wealth without feeling guilt? Alternately, is it that many people claim love for God, but in reality do not live like a good Christian would, essentially making them false believers? I just don't know ... better ideas?
I am not implying that having money, even lots of it, is bad, or that one should not strive for material wealth even if one is religious. It is what a religious person does with it. Does acquiring money become an all-consuming passion (becoming a slave of money)? Is the money used for good purpose or is it used for becoming powerful? Does having money create greed? I.e. how can a religious person avoid becoming victim of money, the root of all evil, in a materialistic society?
After all the ramblings, my point is that I am trying to figure out how love of money and love of God at the same time can be a harmonious combination.
