Post by Honeylioness on Apr 10, 2009 8:41:39 GMT -5
Your Money Boards - Metaphysical Thread[/u]
Hernando - 04/09/09 07:53 PM
Do you believe in God and that he wants every American to be rich?
If you do, then move your ass to Texas.
Hernando - 04/09/09 10:29 PM
The first sentence is a paraphrase of something Warren Buffett once said about the typical American investor. He didn't mean it kindly.
The second sentence I just threw in because all those Sunday Morning tele-evangelists that seem to be preaching a prosperity gospel (as if it weren't the antithesis of the actual gospel) seem to be speaking to well-heeled mega-crowds in Texas mega-churches. You see, Jesus chased these rascals out of the temple two thousand years ago but the bastards keep coming back...
Honeylioness - 04/10/09 09:36 AM
Absolutely
If this question came up in a face to face encounter my first counter question would be "Define 'rich'". God does not want people to suffer needlessly. He wants us to have shelter, clothing and food. But he does not guarantee us large quantities of material wealth or possessions. Regardless of the current economical or political situations in which we find ourselves year to year we are loved by the Father who wishes for us the riches of the Spirit: peace, love, comfort, friendship, appreciation for the earth and a grateful heart for what we DO have - be it a lot or a little.
Personally I have mixed feelings about some of these shows. On the one hand I think it a good thing they have the finances to buy airtime to reach a larger audience with the Gospel. While on the other I am unsettled by some of their focus on money and wealth.
It's also interesting to note that some of those churches, per capita, are bringing in the same ratio of giving as churches in smaller and poorer communities. Studies have shown that those who make under $50k a year actually give proportionately higher to charities and non-profits.
Yes He did - not because he was against the idea or use of money. But because of what the moneychangers represented. They were selling the early Jewish version of Indulgences. Hawking the idea that if you bought their overpriced livestock for the Temple sacrifice then you were almost guaranteed redemption. And because they were not fairly exchanging the Greek and Roman money for Jewish and Tyrian money, which were the only coinage that could be used in Temple ceremonies. He was boldly reminding people that His house is for worship and prayer - and not commerce. That there is no price for the Truth as it is a gift freely given.
One of the most misquoted verses along these lines is 1 Timothy 6:9-10 which many believe says "Money is the root of all evil" It does NOT. What it really says is:
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Fairly apropos given the current situation - with many high rollers getting caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
moneycentral.msn.com/community/message/thread.asp?threadid=1050023&boardname=Hide&header=SearchOnly&footer=Show&linktarget=_parent&pagestyle=money1&forumid=18&board=YourMoney&BoardsParam=HIPDelay%3d1%26PostID%3d28587126
Hernando - 04/09/09 07:53 PM
Do you believe in God and that he wants every American to be rich?
If you do, then move your ass to Texas.
Hernando - 04/09/09 10:29 PM
The first sentence is a paraphrase of something Warren Buffett once said about the typical American investor. He didn't mean it kindly.
The second sentence I just threw in because all those Sunday Morning tele-evangelists that seem to be preaching a prosperity gospel (as if it weren't the antithesis of the actual gospel) seem to be speaking to well-heeled mega-crowds in Texas mega-churches. You see, Jesus chased these rascals out of the temple two thousand years ago but the bastards keep coming back...
Honeylioness - 04/10/09 09:36 AM
Do you believe in God...
Absolutely
...and that he wants every American to be rich?
If this question came up in a face to face encounter my first counter question would be "Define 'rich'". God does not want people to suffer needlessly. He wants us to have shelter, clothing and food. But he does not guarantee us large quantities of material wealth or possessions. Regardless of the current economical or political situations in which we find ourselves year to year we are loved by the Father who wishes for us the riches of the Spirit: peace, love, comfort, friendship, appreciation for the earth and a grateful heart for what we DO have - be it a lot or a little.
The second sentence I just threw in because all those Sunday Morning tele-evangelists that seem to be preaching a prosperity gospel (as if it weren't the antithesis of the actual gospel) seem to be speaking to well-heeled mega-crowds in Texas mega-churches.
Personally I have mixed feelings about some of these shows. On the one hand I think it a good thing they have the finances to buy airtime to reach a larger audience with the Gospel. While on the other I am unsettled by some of their focus on money and wealth.
It's also interesting to note that some of those churches, per capita, are bringing in the same ratio of giving as churches in smaller and poorer communities. Studies have shown that those who make under $50k a year actually give proportionately higher to charities and non-profits.
You see, Jesus chased these rascals out of the temple two thousand years ago but the **** keep coming back...
Yes He did - not because he was against the idea or use of money. But because of what the moneychangers represented. They were selling the early Jewish version of Indulgences. Hawking the idea that if you bought their overpriced livestock for the Temple sacrifice then you were almost guaranteed redemption. And because they were not fairly exchanging the Greek and Roman money for Jewish and Tyrian money, which were the only coinage that could be used in Temple ceremonies. He was boldly reminding people that His house is for worship and prayer - and not commerce. That there is no price for the Truth as it is a gift freely given.
One of the most misquoted verses along these lines is 1 Timothy 6:9-10 which many believe says "Money is the root of all evil" It does NOT. What it really says is:
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Fairly apropos given the current situation - with many high rollers getting caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
moneycentral.msn.com/community/message/thread.asp?threadid=1050023&boardname=Hide&header=SearchOnly&footer=Show&linktarget=_parent&pagestyle=money1&forumid=18&board=YourMoney&BoardsParam=HIPDelay%3d1%26PostID%3d28587126