Posted on 11/07/2019 6:53:51 AM PST by SeekAndFind
What are the social responsibilities of wealthy Christians? Must they prove their loyalty to the Lord by selling their possessions and giving to the poor? Are there simple, universal answers to these questions, or are these questions that must be answered personally and individually?
Some of these issues were raised decades ago in Ronald Sider’s classic work Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, originally published in 1978. With many of us in the West having so much and many in other countries having so little, what would Jesus ask of us?
David Chilton took exception to Sider’s approach, writing, Productive Christians in an Age of Guilt Manipulators: A Biblical Response to Ronald J. Sider in 1981. In Chilton’s view, Sider’s view violated the productive principles of biblical economics.
Now, in our day, “Red Letter Christian” leader Shane Claiborne has asked whether Jesus is King of Kanye West’s bank account. He writes, “The same Jesus who said we need to be ‘born again’ also commanded his disciples to ‘sell everything and give it to the poor.’ This is the one who said it is easier to fit a camel through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Is Clairborne right?
First, Jesus requires all of us to surrender everything to Him if we want to be His disciples. As He said to the large crowds that followed Him, “. . . those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples” (Luke 14:33).
In context, He didn’t simply mean every possession. He meant everything — our wills, our desires, our relationships, everything.
That is discipleship 101. Being born again means that Jesus is Lord of our entire lives.
Second, Jesus called one particular rich young ruler to sell his possessions and give to the poor. But that was not because his wealth was sinful in itself. Rather, it was to expose his covetous heart. In order to really follow Jesus, this man would need to break the power of materialism and greed. He was not willing. (See Mark 10:17-31.)
On the other hand, when Zacchaeus the tax collector encountered Jesus, he immediately repented, pledging to give half his money to the poor. And, if he had defrauded anyone, he would pay him back fourfold. (See Luke 19:1-10.)
And note that Jesus rejoiced in this act, recognizing the reality of Zacchaeus’s conversion. He did not say, “That’s not good enough! You need to give away all your wealth!”
Each heart and each case is different. (For Jesus’ words to His twelve disciples, see Luke 12:32-34.)
Third, the Bible consistently warns against putting our trust in earthly riches. As Proverbs states, “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” (Proverbs 23:4-5; see also Matthew 6:19-26.)
Fourth, the Scriptures warn even more strongly against using the Gospel as a means for acquiring wealth, noting that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). That’s why Paul spoke of “people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain” (1 Timothy 6:7).
Those are strong words.
Fifth, both the Old and New Testaments emphasize the importance of hard work and good stewardship. The Scriptures teach that we reap what we sow and that the generous, not the stingy, will be blessed.
The promises to the generous are clear and undeniable. (See, for example, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.)
Sixth, Paul gave clear instructions to rich Christians, not condemning them or making them feel guilty but rather commanding them to live with an eternal perspective.
He wrote to Timothy, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17–19).
Rich Christians have helped fund the Gospel around the world as well as helped lead the way in meeting the needs of the poor and hurting. And many of them are rich because of the blessing of God.
But, as Paul urged, they must not be arrogant. They must not put their trust in earthly wealth. And they must be generous in giving and rich in good deeds.
At the same time, what they do and how they do it might not be known to the general public. And it’s also possible that God will call them to maintain their same lifestyle as believers, living in a wealthy community and hobnobbing with the rich and influential. This is their mission field, and Jesus died for these people too.
And this means that it’s not for us to sit and judge by mere outward appearance, since often we don’t know what’s going on in the heart.
Instead, let’s pray for those who are wealthy not to get caught up with the things of this age so they lose sight of eternal principles. Instead, empowered by those eternal principles, may they use their wealthy for the glory of God.
And should the Lord — their Lord — tell them to sell everything and give to the poor, wonderful.
But should He tell them to keep much of their wealth and invest it to make more money so they will have much more to give away, that’s wonderful too.
Rich Christians, just like poor Christians, give account God, not to you or to me (Romans 14:4).
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program.
Sorry, but Christianity is also against abortion, same-sex “marriage”, identity by race, etc.
It’s not about socialist agendas.
Let’s see a few books about that.. .
Good article. Thanks for posting it.
No.
Next question.
Christian Post has always been rather dubious as a Christian publication.
Ludicrous article.
That’s between him and God.
Nobody else’s business.
If the Spirit moves him to do so, sure. But he should remember that not all those with a hand out are truly in need, and may not be open to God’s Word.
Vatican goes first.
RE: Ludicrous article.
Can you elaborate?
ludicrous didn’t write the article, not is it about him... it is about kanye.
The question in the first place.
Vatican didn’t write the article. Vatican had nothing to do with the article, or the publication in which it appeared.
Yet you chose to sneer at Vatican.
Very strange ...
He's on a roll most Christians favor
Faulty premise. Except for Matthew, the disciples weren’t wealthy. Middle class at best. Second, why would God only require “rich” people to give away everything, and not the working or middle class followers? So, what’s the cut off? Show me a scripture that says “anything under this amount is considered an acceptable standard of living, but you have to give away anything over that.” No need to walk by faith, you can just put your trust in God’s version of the universal basic income. God requires full and complete surrender of each person’s ALL. That’s all their being, all their time, all their future, and all their possessions. Surrender doesn’t mean give it away, it means let God use it and control it as He directs. So many Christians fail to realize Christ’s command is about obedience, not poverty.
Now let’s talk about those mega-churches and their pastors’ mansions.
The comments on this thread read like no one read the article and only quickly came to a judgement based on the title
Damn it, Kanye has earned his fortune honestly and no rotten, preening, guilt tripping, so-called “Christian” should be trying to shame him out of it. Somebody once tried to guilt me about a new car I’d just bought by remarking now extravagant it was. I replied, “I wanted it, I earned it, and I bought it.” No more attempted guilting.
I did read the article. I’m agreeing with the author that those who use the “rich Christians should give away all their money” is an unscriptural, faulty premise. Just expanding on his point.
RE: The question in the first place.
That was a rhetorical question which is answered in the article.
Buddhism has a teaching similar to Christianity, but without the Western/Socialist “social justice” agenda that has polluted Western thinking. First of all, wealth, gained honestly and with a “right livelihood,” is a sign of proper living, righteousness and God’s favor.
Secondly, giving away one’s wealth certainly is considered an upright and moral act, but with the condition you have wisdom regarding where its given, and your wealth in the hands of others doesn’t enable their sin or create bad karma.
Third, and probably most salient, is that managing and trying to hold on to wealth in our short lives is ultimately a burden of our minds and hearts. Our desire to become or remain wealthy is a distraction from our focus on God. A person gives away his wealth to ultimately help HIMSELF
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.