Posted on 11/05/2025 7:20:18 AM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
It’s not so much the idea that rich Christians are bad people. It’s more the idea that we live in a land that is quite literally the richest nation that has ever been and yet, we are surrounded by a large population of people who lack basic necessities. It raises the question – Why?
…It doesn’t matter if we are hearing prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah, or Jesus’ own words. The message is the same – God cares how the poor are treated and does not look kindly on those who exploit the poor for their own benefit because when this happens, the exploiter is not only rejecting their neighbors who bear the image of God, but are in essence and practice rejecting God and putting themselves in place of God.
…The community of the redeemed is to display a dramatically new set of personal, social, and economic relationships. The quality of life among the people of God is to be a sign of the coming perfection and justice that will be revealed when the kingdoms of this world finally and completely become the kingdom of our Lord at his Second Coming.” (Pg. 71). Yes, indeed, salvation is not just limited to personal, individual salvation, but the transformation of the core of everything. Too often I think we western Christians make God out to be far too small when we end up making God only concerned with us individually while forgetting or ignoring what God is not only capable of, but also has a desire to transform.
…Part three of the book is titled “What Causes Poverty?”
(Excerpt) Read more at pastormatthewbest.com ...
ISAIAH 58:
6 This is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
On the flip side: “We Need More Christian Billionaires” (posted yesterday)
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/4350766/posts
A certain political party continually exploits the poor in order to gain and retain political power.
IMO, most hunger that exists in the world today is due to politics or laziness. There are exceptions, but that’s mostly outside the US and the western world.
We are NOT “surrounded by a large population” that lacks basic necessities. That population is at an all-time historic low, not only nationally but worldwide. To be sure, “rich Christians” have need to reflect on the gospel, but let us not exempt ourselves from that recommendation even if we are not ‘rich.’
‘Age of hunger’? We have the fattest poor people in world history.
Having been involved in many benevolent projects over the years, my general assessment of poor communities is this:
Perhaps half of the people are there because of their own fault: Drug addicts, laziness, alcoholics, etc., etc.
But the other half are not. They may be poor because of chronic health issues. They may be poor because they were born with lesser intellects. (Someone with an IQ of 65 is not as likely to become the Vice-President of a computer software company.) They may even be there in part because they are unattractive in appearance. (If a beautiful woman and an ugly woman both apply for a job as a receptionist, the beautiful woman usually gets the job.) They may have come from poor or sick families and had to choose between their families and their own futures. They may be there simply because of the luck of the draw, so to speak, or to other misfortunes or lack of opportunities.
Those able to work but not willing to work shouldn’t eat. But we need to keep a compassionate heart for those who are poor due to situations not entirely of their own making.
God has always been especially concerned with the poor and the outcast. In the ballgame of life, God pulls for the underdogs.
Picking on "rich Christians" in an "Age of Hunger" is an offensive position. The government has swung open the gates and invited the poor of the world to invade our country and put them on the government dole. It's no longer volitional acts of individual charity. It is industrial grade wealth redistribution under the tax collector's gun.
One of the things we have to stop doing as a society is expect everyone to be able to become a 4-y degree major in a field to have a job.
Social and trade policy which expects a job market to be all white-collar capable employees is just bad policy. Our trade practices gutting an internal domestic production market has created so much bad pressure to debt slavery in education institutions and deflated wage growth.
you’d feel better if Rich people gave their stuff to the “poor” then?
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
spinach, fresh $1.79/12 oz. Aldi
green peppers ~$1.82/pound WM
jalapeno peppers $1.72/pound WM
onions, green 62¢/bunch WM
yams 78¢/pound WM
squash, butternut 99¢/pound Aldi
squash, yellow $1.48/pound WM
squash, zucchini $1.48/pound WM
cabbage, green 75¢/pound Aldi
carrots $1.82/2# Aldi
avocados ~$1.38/pound WM
tomatoes, Roma 89¢/pound WM
potatoes, baking $2.47/5# WM
potatoes, Russet $4.54/10# WM
celery ~54¢/pound Aldi
cucumbers ~$1.31/pound WM
onions, yellow $1.65/3# Aldi
garlic ~$3.76/pound WM
peas 50¢/15 oz. can Aldi
green beans 50¢/14+ oz. can GV
French style green beans 50¢/14+ oz. can GV
corn 50¢/15+ oz. can GV
tomatoes, diced 91¢/14+ oz. can Aldi
tomato sauce 47¢/8 oz. can Aldi
tomato paste 86¢/6 oz. can Aldi
spinach, chopped, frozen $1.24/10 oz. brick WM
spinach, chopped, frozen $1.26/12 oz. bag WM
kale, chopped, frozen $1.57/12 oz. bag WM
collards, chopped, frozen $1.54/12 oz. bag WM
okra, chopped, frozen $1.54/12 oz. bag WM
broccoli, chopped, frozen $1.16/12 oz. bag WM
broccoli/cauliflower, chopped, frozen $1.16/12 oz. bag WM
peas, chopped, frozen $2.48/32 oz. bag WM
peas, frozen 97¢/12 oz. bag Aldi
peas, frozen $1/10 oz. bag WM Birdseye
green beans, cut, frozen 98¢/12 oz. bag Aldi
broccoli florets frozen $1.15/12 oz. bag Aldi
corn, frozen 97¢/12 oz. bag Aldi
bananas 53¢/pound Aldi
bananas 49 to 54¢/pound WM
plantains ~62¢/pound WM
apples, Gala $1.99/3# Aldi
apples, Gala $2.98/3# WM
apples, Fuji $2.99/3# Aldi
pears, Bartlett $3.89/3# Aldi
applesauce, $3.24/48 oz. WM
split peas, dried $1.42/16 oz. GV
lentils, dried $1.39/16 oz. Aldi
lentils, dried $1.92/16 oz. GV
lentils, dried $5.98/64 oz. GV
blackeye peas, dried $2.69/16 oz. Aldi
black beans, dried $1.50/16 oz. GV
kidney beans, dried $1.22/16 oz. GV
lima beans, dried $3.59/32 oz. Aldi
lima beans, dried $1.98/16 oz. GV
baby lima beans, dried $1.98/16 oz. GV
red beans, dried $1.42/16 oz. GV
pinto beans dried $2.19/32 oz. Aldi
Great Northern beans, dried $1.95/32 oz. Aldi
Great Northern beans, dried $1.87/16 oz. GV
bread, whole wheat, large slice $2.49/24 oz. Aldi
bread, whole wheat, sandwich slice $1.95/20 oz. Aldi
bread, whole wheat, sandwich slice $1.97/20 oz. WM
bread, rye $2.67/24 oz.
bread crumbs, white/Italian $1.22/15 oz. Aldi
bread crumbs, panko $1.85/8 oz. Aldi
rice, brown $1.64/32 oz. GV
rice, parboiled $1.64/32 oz. GV
peanut butter $1.94/16 oz. WM
pancake mix $1.98/2# GV
pancake syrup $2.84/36 oz. WM Country Kitchen
shredded wheat, bite size $2.94/16.4 oz. GV
oats $4.09/42 oz. Aldi
Crispy Oats $1.65/12 oz. Aldi
Honey Nut Os cereal $3.12/21.6 oz. GV
Toasted Os cereal $1.83/12 oz. GV
Kellogg’s Raisin Bran $5.64/29.5 oz. WM
Corn Flakes $2.19/18 oz. Aldi
milk $2.33/gallon WM Aldi
sugar, white $2.89/4# Aldi
sugar, brown $1.89/2# Aldi
sugar, powdered $1.89/2# Aldi
pasta, elbows 98¢/16 oz. GV
pasta, spaghetti, ziti, rigatoni 98¢/16 oz. GV
pasta, rotini, garden rotini, angel hair 98¢/16 oz. GV
pasta sauce $1.67/24 oz. GV
salsa $2.29/24 oz. Aldi
queso salsa $2.19/15 oz. Aldi
flour $2.19/5# Aldi
flour $2.38/5# GV
corn meal $2.75/35 oz. Aldi
10” flour tortillas $4.24/20 count[42.3 oz.] WM
6” white corn tortillas $2.97/80 count WM
eggs, large $1.95/dozen Aldi
turkey, whole 77¢/pound Aldi
chicken, whole $1.46/pound WM Tyson
chicken, thighs $1.77/pound WM Tyson
chicken, thighs $1.55/pound, Aldi family pack
chicken breasts $2.49/pound Aldi
pork loin half $2.09/pound Aldi
pork chops $2.89/pound Aldi
cream cheese $1.49/8 oz. Aldi
cottage cheese $2.85/24 oz. Aldi
ricotta cheese $5.24/32 oz. GV
ricotta cheese $5.78/32 oz. WM Galbani
Provolone cheese, sliced $1.59/8 oz. Aldi
Medium/Mild Cheddar cheese, sliced $1.59/8 oz. Aldi
Swiss cheese, sliced $1.59/7 oz. Aldi
Gouda cheese, sliced $1.59/7 oz. Aldi
Havarti cheese, sliced $1.59/7 oz. Aldi
Parmesan/Romano cheese, grated $2.98/8 oz. WM
Parmesan cheese, grated $2.98/8 oz. WM
Parmesan cheese, grated $5.48/16 oz. WM
corn oil $4.95/48 oz. Aldi
corn oil $11.98/gallon GV
vegetable oil $3.49/48 oz. Aldi
vegetable oil $8.52/gallon GV
peanut oil $17.16/gallon WM
butter $3.49/pound Aldi
shortening, oil& veg. $5.18/42 oz. WM
mayonnaise $2.99/30 oz. Aldi
soy sauce $1.58/15 oz. GV
oyster sauce $3.12/9 oz. WM LKK
hoison sauce $4.78/20 oz. WM LKK
sesame oil $3.22/5 oz. WM ID
teriyaki sauce $3.28/15 oz. WM Kikkoman
taco seasoning 46¢/1 oz. Aldi
baking soda 89¢/16 oz. Aldi
baking powder $1.85/8+ oz. Aldi
baking cocoa $4.49/8 oz. Aldi
almonds, sliced/slivered $2.39/6 oz. Aldi
pecans, chopped $3.49/8 oz. Aldi
pecans, halves $4.99/10 oz. Aldi
walnuts, chopped $2.79/8 oz. Aldi
walnuts, shelled $5.89/16 oz. Aldi
Lumber for a 30x30 two-story house
outside walls
~240’ of 2x6 studs 16” o.c. ~= 180 studs ~= $900
~360’ of 2x6 plates ~= 45 studs ~= $225
inside walls
~120’ of 2x4 studs 16” o.c. ~= 90 studs ~= $350
~120’ of 2x4 plates ~= 15 studs ~= $60
platform framing
24x2 of 2 16’x2”x12” joists [96 16’x2”x12” joists][Note: I-beams would usually be used]
+
4 16’x2”x12” platform ends ~= $3000
subtotal ~$4500
plywood
roof x 30’x30’ ~= 1000 sq. ft. ~= $1,100
floors ~1800 sq. ft. $42 4’x8’x3/4” sheet ~= $2,400
sheathing ~1920 sq. ft. ~= $2,000 [Note: Oriented Strand Board would normally be used]
truss wood
16(1+30/2 24” o.c.) x 70’ ~= 140 2x4 studs ~= $560
wood for house ~= $11,000 total
“Picking on “rich Christians” in an “Age of Hunger” is an offensive position. “
The rich Christian who wants to improve the situation can do 2 things:
1) Employ the poor in well paying jobs.
2) Educate the poor so they qualify for well paying jobs.
“Picking on “rich Christians” in an “Age of Hunger” is an offensive position. “
The rich Christian who wants to improve the situation can do 2 things:
1) Employ the poor in well paying jobs.
2) Educate the poor so they qualify for well paying jobs.
The federal debt is ~$110,000/American resident.
The federal debt is ~$240,000/American worker.
The cost of materials to build my house ~$30,000.
Americans are not generally rich. Just because a few million are rich, doesn’t mean the country as a whole is rich.
The rich have trillions - in overpriced stock that others don’t have the money (or desire) to buy.
“NVIDIA’s market capitalization is more than the entire pharmaceutical industry combined. At least “BigPharma” has a track record of developing meds that extend life, A.I. is a bubble that needs to be burst.”
Look at this beautiful tulip. With just one bulb, you can make many more....
“Productive Christians in an Age of Guilt Manipulators” (Chilton) is a worthy antidote to this weak offering
NYC is spending well over $25,000/kid on average for K-12 public education.
This is like from 40 years ago!
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