Is it hypocritical for a Christian to be rich?

[emzie]

Jesus' famously said that "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)

and more to the point, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

From wiki: "Mammon is used in the New Testament to describe material wealth or greed."

So I'm curious, if one cannot serve God and the pursuit of wealth, how do Christians justify being rich in comparison to their neighbours? And compared to the world (a rich American Christian compared to a starving Christian in Africa)

 

[potatokiosk]

They worked for it, and others can work for it as well.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

money has the nasty habit of corrupting people

its hard not to put it above god and the moment you do you are idolizing it.

so its possible to be a rich christian but its easier to live a good life while poor.

 

[Stylesjl]

One can be rich and still have devotion to god. Theres nothing there about sharing....

 

[Arcadian83]

In the sense you described, yes. Being extraordinarily wealthy does not a good Christian make. To what degree a Christian should be allow themselves to be wealthy is very debatable, however, and varies tremendously by denomination.

For instance, Catholics tend to be poorer than Protestants, but this is probably more related to the cultural differences.
Puritans have the work-ethic that through good works and keeping busy one might not be tempted to do evil. Catholics are more likely to view worldly things as temporary and unimportant, or even as you described, harmful to salvation. As a result they tend to be poorer and more reliant on the church.

So Puritans in this sense would argue that more wealth is allowable or even healthy to faith as it is a sign of focus and not idleness. Calvinists would take this view to a further extreme, that material success is a sign of the favor of God.

 

[emzie]

One can be rich and still have devotion to god. Theres nothing there about sharing....

Acts 2:42-45

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and in fellowship ... 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Acts 4:32-37

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

These actions coming from those who studied under Christ himself.

 

[Stylesjl]

I'll elaborate a bit

It states that it is harder to get into hevean if you are rich. Thats all it states. It doesn't describe sharing your wealth. The other part simply states you cannot serve both god and wealth. Gaining wealth isn't a problem its just when it becomes obsessive that you no longer serve god.

 

[Irish Caesar]

For instance, Catholics tend to be poorer than Protestants, but this is probably more related to the cultural differences.
Puritans have the work-ethic that through good works and keeping busy one might not be tempted to do evil. Catholics are more likely to view worldly things as temporary and unimportant, or even as you described, harmful to salvation. As a result they tend to be poorer and more reliant on the church.

And we tend to have more kids.

 

[GenMarshall]

As a Shintoist Roman Catholic (Roman Catholic with Shinto spirituality). I dont find that its hypocritical for a Christian to be rich wheather that person is a Mormon, Lutheran, Catholic, Orthodox, or whatever. So long as they also help the poor and not horde their money.

I myself strive to be rich, but it does not mean that I am going to forget my poorer bretherans.

 

[Trajan12]

It only says that money corrupts most people but only a true adherent to Christianity will retain his Christian beliefs. I believe that as long as you offer to the church and to those who are in need, riches will not corrupt you.

 

[emzie]

As a Shintoist Roman Catholic (Roman Catholic with Shinto spirituality). I dont find that its hypocritical for a Christian to be rich wheather that person is a Mormon, Lutheran, Catholic, Orthodox, or whatever. So long as they also help the poor and not horde their money.

I myself strive to be rich, but it does not mean that I am going to forget my poorer bretherans.

This is what I was trying to ask. Not if wealth and Christianity are mutually exclusive, but if the misuse of wealth (selfishness) was unChristian.

 

[Trajan12]

So I'm curious, if one cannot serve God and the pursuit of wealth, how do Christians justify being rich in comparison to their neighbours? And compared to the world (a rich American Christian compared to a starving Christian in Africa)

All adherents to Christ are members of the Church on Earth and our our fellow Christians. A rich man is no more valuable in Gods eyes than an impoverished one.

 

[Elta]

Jesus' famously said that "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)
/QUOTE]
When he said needle I belive he was talking about needle gates: *Ahem* In most citys where Jesus lived in his day there were gates, these were allways closed at night.Allthou there was gates (which translated to english) are called needle gates these were little aprx. 2 meter high gates that were nothing more than a door, in order to get in you have to take all of the stuff off of your donkeys back and force him in ussually (because camles are so stubborn). It's not impossible to pass through the eye of a needle just hard.


-And no I am not a christan myself it's just one of the things I was taught when I studyed.

 

[Pyrite]

Rich men serve Babylon.

You can not have two masters.

 

[Red Stranger]

I think it's bad to view money as the solution to problems. It's not. Money doesn't bring happiness. But if you work hard, and reward comes in the form of money, then it's ok. If you steal money, then it's not.

Jesus' famously said that "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)

A rich man can buy a needle with a hugh eye

 

[Trajan12]

This is what I was trying to ask. Not if wealth and Christianity are mutually exclusive, but if the misuse of wealth (selfishness) was unChristian.

Ye selfishness is unChristian, take the parable of the rich man and the beggar. The rich man spent money on his self and the poor man was content with the scraps off his plate. The rich man went to Hell and pleaded for mercy but recieved none as the poor man recieved no aid from the rich. The Lord said whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, That you do unto me.

 

[warpus]

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Wow, those are pretty communist ideas.

I wonder if present-day Christians would have embraced communist ideals if the USSR and China didn't give communism a bad name.

 

[GenMarshall]

This is what I was trying to ask. Not if wealth and Christianity are mutually exclusive, but if the misuse of wealth (selfishness) was unChristian.

The misuse of wealth can lead a Christian to the vice of Lust for wealth. Which is one of the seven deadly sins. Since I myself strive to become rich, again I will say, that I wont forget my poorer bretherans and follow the example of many Amercian philanthropists such as Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller.

 

[Pyrite]

So you'll throw down a pittance for a tax write off, public favor, and political back watching?

Haha. Well it was worth dying over at one point.

 

[Arcadian83]

And we tend to have more kids.

That is a good point as well, though I think my generalization still holds.

As a Shintoist Roman Catholic (Roman Catholic with Shinto spirituality). I dont find that its hypocritical for a Christian to be rich wheather that person is a Mormon, Lutheran, Catholic, Orthodox, or whatever. So long as they also help the poor and not horde their money.

I myself strive to be rich, but it does not mean that I am going to forget my poorer bretherans.

(and others expressed similar ideas)
Some (extreme) Christians would say that if you do not donate X% (where X could range from 10-50) of your income to the church or charity, that you are being selfish and unChristian. Accumulating a significant sum of wealth could be seen likewise. Indeed they might argue that any American-ish level of wealth is shameful with poverty in other parts of the world.

I do not agree with this extreme view, but would like to point out that saying "I'll get rich and then help the poor" is skirting the issue. "Are you too selfish and obsessed with money to give right now?" they would ask.

CivGeneral: RC with Shinto spirituality? Shintoism has many idols, but I can see how it might coincide with the omnipresent aspect of God. Can you elaborate?