Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming...

[Robert]

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[Guest]

No thanks.

[LifeHiscost]

I was especially interested in that gentleman pulling a stolen shopping cart behind him with probably all his belongings in it. Probably just came from a meeting with Koch and his best friends, asking for enough so he wouldn't have to sleep out in the cold overnite.

We have a lot of those in the state I live in. When I have it available I stop and give some of the folding currency to one who looks like he could use it. It's surprising how many seem to be just ordinary people that like to eat at least once a day and are often happy to do your lawn for a meal if asked.

Then that night I'll stop and praise God for the fact that I'm not in the same position, largely through no fault of my own except that I've seen the need to ask for help in a world largely interested in making sure they're not having to support those who obviously aren't as brilliantly successful. After all, what other use is there for money than building bigger barns. Look at how many jobs are made available when we want one built.

"He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’"

Luke 12:17-20 NLT

God blesses!

[Gerr]

Yeah, it's very difficult for me to understand why the super-wealthy do no realize that they cannot take their riches with them, that you can only sleep on one bed, wear so many clothes or shoes, etc. etc.

[jasd]

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Then again, never saw a poor man provide a paying job for anybody... Just sayin'.

[LifeHiscost]

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Then again, never saw a poor man provide a paying job for anybody... Just sayin'.

Perhaps you've never seen Him, but I'd wager you've heard of Him.

Now, of course, He's known as the Son of God but when He was known as the Son of man it is said He didn't have where to lay His head.

"And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Matthew 8:20 KJV

Now He probably fits better the axiom, "Better to teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime than to give him a fish and feed him for a day".

God blesses!

[bonnie]

We have these constant concern and condemnation over the rich and what they do with their ill gotten gains.The Mormons have a interesting read that deals with personal responsibility and helping others. Maybe because it is Mormon you will dismiss it

but there are more in this world than those nasty rich.They have a accountability before the Lord just as the rich do.

It sounds as if someone has more than basic needs he is condemned.Most of us here have,have you given away all your excess as you hammer on the rich

http://www.simplyprepared.com/provident_living_and_the_relief_society.htm

[Guest]

Then again, never saw a poor man provide a paying job for anybody... Just sayin'.

Exactly!

[bonnie]

This continual rant against the rich and predicting their salvation many times sounds like,"Look at the other guy" instead of me.

Why are so many obsessed about the money of others? Their salvation is not up to you(general). There are many ways to be selfish.

For those that compare the self sacrificing life of Christ to the evil rich,how are you doing?

Christ had a stone for a pillow. Find yourself a nice comfy rock and give your pillow to a homeless man.Bet Christ would have. Unless the computer that is used for the voluminous amount of condemnation against the evil rich is needed for business,give it to someone that truly needs it.Find a student that wants to go to school online and give it to him.That excess money that you use to buy more than you actually need can pay for his IP. Stop any unnecessary purchase,keep only what you need for basic day to day existence. Christ never had more.

Unselfish christian behavior does not always require large sums of money. Is even half the time that is spent in condemning the rich spent in hands on unselfish christian giving? You don't have to be rich to be self righteous,condemning and selfish.But I suppose that can take your[general) mind off of your own selfishness,after all you are not the evil rich.

What have you(general) done today to share,sacrifice and help another besides helping the rich to understand how evil they are?

[Guest]

Amen!!

[bonnie]

Amen!!

It isn't only the evil rich that can be condemned.

Those of modest or average means could do so much,Do they?

Large amounts of money is not always needed. It is personal time and maybe going without a few unnecessary items personally.You would never run out but if the constant concern is over those that have more than you,you simply don't have the time to put your focus where it should be.

But it sure has a pious ring to it doesn't it? Almost makes you think if some were only in the rich man's shoes,the wonders he would do with his riches.If it isn't done now with what you have,it is a fallacy to think you would do any better than those you condemn.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

It isn't only the evil rich that can be condemned.

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17 NKJV

God blesses!

[Robert]

The Jews, in OT times, believed a rich man to be a good man, blessed of God for his obedience to the Torah. Hence, in their minds, a rich man was a good man blessed of God for his obedience to God's law.

What a pile of dung....

The rich - those in power and without God, exploit and take advantage of the poor. It's called Laissez-faire Capitalism, which belongs to this world and not the kingdom of heaven based on agape love.

[bonnie]

The Jews, in OT times, believed a rich man to be a good man, blessed of God for his obedience to the Torah. Hence, in their minds, a rich man was a good man blessed of God for his obedience to God's law.

What a pile of dung....

The rich - those in power and without God, exploit and take advantage of the poor. It's called Laissez-faire Capitalism, which belongs to this world and not the kingdom of heaven based on agape love.

We are all responsible what we do with our talents,gifts,material goods.Whether a large amount or small.What have you done with yours(general) this week.

Maybe hammering on the rich for their lack while we fail to use ours wisely or as we tell others to use theirs is not what God had in mind.

[Guest]

We are all responsible what we do with our talents,gifts,material goods.Whether a large amount or small.What have you done with yours(general) this week.

Maybe hammering on the rich for their lack while we fail to use ours wisely or as we tell others to use theirs is not what God had in mind.

I agree.

[bonnie]

I agree.

We all have to give our own accounting.

Maybe when we tell the Lord,I told everyone over and over that disagreed with me they were legalists and trying to buy heaven,

And the rich would only gain hell with their riches,I was faithful with the little you gave me, He will Say..

'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' ...

Matthew 25:23

Somehow I can't convince myself that is quite what the Lord meant. But the time will come out we will be called to account

[Robert]

Maybe hammering on the rich for their lack ....

Lack of what?

[bonnie]

Originally Posted By: bonnie

Maybe hammering on the rich for their lack ....

Lack of what?

Their lack in not being as righteous as the ones that spend their time condemning them.

Maybe it is just me but this says those with little are expected to be faithful in their stewardship as well as the wealthy

Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' ...

Matthew 25:23

You can be a miserly,self centered,self serving man of modest means as easily as you can with wealth

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

What a pile of dung....

I'm wondering where you place the Spirit of God for giving this advice.

"“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

‘.For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt 25:24-30 NKJV

God blesses!

[bonnie]

Sounds like there will be others gnashing their teeth along with the rich

‘.For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt 25:24-30 NKJV

I don't quite get what seems like an almost obsessive hatred and envy by some over those that have more.

If I were going to be held accountable for the behavior of a rich man I might have a little more concern.

What I do with mine,my talents,gifts and material possessions

is the only area God will call me to account for.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

You can be a miserly,self centered,self serving man of modest means as easily as you can with wealth

Having been on both sides of the fence, I'm giving my personal testimony that it's a lot easier to be what you have said is as easy, when God is not in control of our generosity.

God blesses!

[bonnie]

Having been on both sides of the fence, I'm giving my personal testimony that it's a lot easier to be what you have said is as easy, when God is not in control of our generosity.

God blesses!

Can't say for sure but I would think you didn't change the side of the fence because someone was always screaming at you for your perceived wealth or being miserly.Others may not have like it but I don't think that is why you changed the side of the fence you are on

[Robert]

This is parable...please don't pervert it with our Laissez Faire Capitalism ways. Laissez Faire Capitalism is based on self-seeking and is completely out of harmony with God's methods & agape love.

Laissez Faire Capitalism is a type of economic system that is based on Laissez Faire, the french term meaning "hands off". Man does what is right in his own eyes because it's all about $$$! After all, that's why we had slavery here in America.

Keep in mind when I say "The rich" I mean those "without God". Not everyone who is rich has exploited the poor to get their wealth, but outside God it's 100%.

[olger]

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Then again, never saw a poor man provide a paying job for anybody... Just sayin'.

ole'

[olger]

We are all responsible what we do with our talents,gifts,material goods.Whether a large amount or small. What have you done with yours(general) this week?

Hammering on the "rich" while we fail to use our talents and abilities wisely is not what God had in mind.

(Edited by olger)

Amen !!!