Zone1 The danger in being wealthy, especially if you are a prominent figure

[forkintheroad7]

I sometimes envy those who have a lot of money. But then I get the thought all over again that it is not such a great blessing, in the long run.

My spirituality informs me that there is definitely another realm beyond this one and that that is the one that matters. So everything we do in this life is going to get us either to Heaven (usually via Purgatory where sins are purged. Heaven is absolutely pure so Purgatory is necessary for most people) or Hell.

Rich people, especially the famous (or infamous) ones likely think, subconsciously at least, that they are "loved by God" because they have everything a person could want that this world has to offer. They likely think they already have God since.. Look at all those blessings He gave! And yet, they may lack the one thing they most desperately need: Jesus and salvation.

If you have enough money, you begin to believe you don't need Jesus. And of course, that (not being in Christ) leads you to Hell. So yeh.. don't envy the rich.. Certainly, you young people out there, do not emulate them or strive to be like them. Somewhere in the Word it says that if you have what you need, be content with that.

 

[Crepitus]

I'll take "what is the prosperity gospel" for $1,000,000.00

 

[forkintheroad7]

Oh, some folks who are on Ignore

nice cat pic

 

[Crepitus]

Oh, some folks who are on Ignore

View attachment 985218

nice cat pic

The echo chamber is real.

 

[forkintheroad7]

The echo chamber is real.

 

[The Irish Ram]

I'll take "what is the prosperity gospel" for $1,000,000.00

What father doesn't want His children to prosper? It's ok to be rich. In fact, the only time I know of where God said, "test me on it" is when He said if you tithe more than the obligatory 10% right off the top of your income,< (Not what you have left over after you take care of everything else.), see if your cup doesn't start running over. You won't just get enough, you'll get more than enough.
forked is correct on one point. It can easily remove the importance of Jesus in one's life and become something that is idolized. It is the love of money that is the issue. It tends to make people greedy and leads to wretched excess, poor judgment and bad decisions.

 

[Crepitus]

What father doesn't want His children to prosper? It's ok to be rich. In fact, the only time I know of where God said, "test me on it" is when He said if you tithe more than the obligatory 10% right off the top of your income,< (Not what you have left over after you take care of everything else.), see if your cup doesn't start running over. You won't just get enough, you'll get more than enough.
forked is correct on one point. It can easily remove the importance of Jesus in one's life and become something that is idolized. It is the love of money that is the issue. It tends to make people greedy and leads to wretched excess, poor judgment and bad decisions.

I appreciate you helping make my point.

 

[ding]

I appreciate you helping make my point.

Do you believe that all behaviors have equal outcomes?

 

[Blackrook]

The notion that a rich man is blessed by God is not something Jesus ever said. He said it is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than to get a camel through the Eye of the Needle, a narrow gate in Jerusalem. And I think the reason is, more is expected when one is rich.

 

[forkintheroad7]

The notion that a rich man is blessed by God is not something Jesus ever said. He said it is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than to get a camel through the Eye of the Needle, a narrow gate in Jerusalem. And I think the reason is, more is expected when one is rich.

for sure. "To whom more is given, more is required."

But on a slightly different topic, it's interesting how Protestant Bibles say Luke 13:3 speak of repentance but the Cahtolic Bible uses the term Penance. In the most reliable version of the Bible, the Douay Rheims (Catholic) it say that Jesus said "Unless you do penance, you will all perish [meaning in Hell]" whereas the P Bibles just say Unless you repent.
There's a big difference. Repenting is just the first step toward getting to Heaven. Doing penance means doing things that make up for the bad you've done and also, accepting sufferings as chastisement for said sins..

 

[ding]

The Bible teaches that not all behaviors have equal outcomes.