And let me also caution, I don't believe greed is just about $$$.

 

You won't give of your TIME for the benefit of others, than you are greedy with your TIME.

You won't give of your LOVE for others and your family, than you are greedy with your LOVE.

You won't give of your TALENTS for others, than you are greedy with your TALENTS.

And so on and so on and so on.

Matthew 25:14-30

For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

 

“Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. “In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. “But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

 

“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

 

“Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

 

“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. ‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

 

“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

Stewards are required to take risks

Matthew 25:14-30

For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

 

“Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. “In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. “But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

 

“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

 

“Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

 

“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. ‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

 

“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

Stewards are required to take risks

 

Surely you know that he is not talking about money here. That he used something familiar to the people to get his point across about expanding the love of God. Surely you are not going to use this parable in this discussion. if so, then to take things literally we should sell all we have and give the money to the poor. Which is it? Or is it a contradiction.

Surely you know that he is not talking about money here. That he used something familiar to the people to get his point across about expanding the love of God. Surely you are not going to use this parable in this discussion. if so, then to take things literally we should sell all we have and give the money to the poor. Which is it? Or is it a contradiction.

ace, would you mind taking a look at post #68, to see how ineffectively,our government donates to eradicating world poverty? If you want to help the world, keep the money in your hands and donate it yourself!

I have 50 kids in a day treatment. Right now 35 of them are on Free lunch. Come tell them, who don't have a home to call their own, who ask us to help them buy basic needs, that poverty is not oppressive. The poverty keeps them from making choices.

 

Again, my MUCH is TOO much and THEIR little is TOO little. I fall under the greedy category.

 

Why are they on free lunch? Are many of these young people from single parent families, which is a situation that lends itself to poverty all too often?

Why do you blame well-to-do wage earners for their problems. Many of these people help tp provide jobs.

If we really didn't care there would not be a day treatment program to help them or there would not be a free lunch program if we really didn't care. At some point every individual has to raise theirselves up and overcome, no amount of money will do this, there must be self determination as well.

http://www.mindfully.org/Sustainability/Americans-Consume-24percent.htm

 

 

The US has 5% of the world's population and uses 24% of the energy

 

The US consumes 815 BILLION calories each day - more than 200 BILLION more than needed - the extra 200 BILLION calores would feed 80 million PEOPLE.

 

Persons in the US use 159 gallons of water daily compared to 25 gallons per person in the rest of the world.

 

COUNTRY FIRST!!!!

 

 

So?

We have provided ourselves with a great country because ofthe hard work that went along with natural resources and weallth that we have created.

Because of all of this we have tried to help others through the Peace Corps, the UN and money that we have given to other nations. I doubt if the level of 25 gallons would be there if it would not have been for the US.

Good points. I would add, to your last statement, too many people also associate welfare with laziness.

 

I associate welfare with laziness.

 

There are examples of unfortunate circumstances that cause people to be on/stay on welfare, but in the vast majority of situations - laziness would be reason #1.

Surely you are not going to use this parable in this discussion. if so, then to take things literally we should sell all we have and give the money to the poor. Which is it? Or is it a contradiction.

Please show me anywhere in the Gospels that Jesus instructed ALL Christians to "sell all they have and give the money to the poor."

 

He told the rich young ruler (who wanted to follow Jesus) that he should do this because He perceived that his riches were what ensnared him. There's more to the story than that, but this was not an instruction to ALL believers to essentially sell everything and become poor too.

Been thinking about this and I would answer......

 

Putting the desire for wealth in whatever form (meaning anything) over your desire to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His Father and the desire to share that same relationship with Jesus Christ and His Father with others.

 

:thumb:

I like this. Nailed it, IMO.

Please show me anywhere in the Gospels that Jesus instructed ALL Christians to "sell all they have and give the money to the poor."

 

He told the rich young ruler (who wanted to follow Jesus) that he should do this because He perceived that his riches were what ensnared him. There's more to the story than that, but this was not an instruction to ALL believers to essentially sell everything and become poor too.

 

 

I don't think there is a place.

 

However here's food for thought (pardon the pun).

 

This passage is in Acts 4:32ff

 

32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

 

 

Some interesting food for thought and I believe it's worth discussing.

I don't think there is a place.

 

However here's food for thought (pardon the pun).

 

This passage is in Acts 4:32ff

 

32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

 

 

Some interesting food for thought and I believe it's worth discussing.

I agree, this is a goodie, but IMO the key phrase setting it up is, "All the believers were one in heart and mind." The sharing that went on was among believers (Christians) sharing with other believers (Christians.) The givers and receivers were operating under the same rules of conduct. Those who were able to give, gave to those in need but willing to live by certain basic standards. There was a very high level of responsibility expected of both giver and receiver.

 

This is not the standard of conduct in a culture that does not acknowledge God in His proper context, does not discourage extramarital sex and birthing children out of wedlock... a system where men can be around for the fun stuff and leave the mothers to raise the children alone... a system that not only allows, but often encourages killing innocent children created out of wedlock because they are inconvenient.

 

Say what you will, but the difference in the two cultures isn't even an apples and oranges comparison... it's more like apples and artichokes.

I agree, this is a goodie, but IMO the key phrase setting it up is, "All the believers were one in heart and mind." The sharing that went on was among believers (Christians) sharing with other believers (Christians.) The givers and receivers were operating under the same rules of conduct. Those who were able to give, gave to those in need but willing to live by certain basic standards. There was a very high level of responsibility expected of both giver and receiver.

 

This is not the standard of conduct in a culture that does not acknowledge God in His proper context, does not discourage extramarital sex and birthing children out of wedlock... a system where men can be around for the fun stuff and leave the mothers to raise the children alone... a system that not only allows, but often encourages killing innocent children created out of wedlock because they are inconvenient.

 

Say what you will, but the difference in the two cultures isn't even an apples and oranges comparison... it's more like apples and artichokes.

 

 

The scripture also talks about who your neighbor is and it included the unbelieving samaritans

The scripture also talks about who your neighbor is and it included the unbelieving samaritans

What does that possibly have to do with the believers sharing their possessions among other believers as described in Acts 4:32-37?

 

How can you mix and match scripture to come up with a version or a message you personally find more appealing?

 

I for one am disgusted with being guilt tripped into paying higher and higher taxes to a government populated by boobs who cannot balance a budget or say no to special interests while prostituting themselves for votes and their ego driven lust for power and significance.

 

I can find nowhere in the entire New Testament where believers are instructed to sell all they own and give the proceeds to unbelievers. If I am wrong, I genuinely hope someone will correct me, because I truly do not wish to complete my life on earth in error.

 

There is however, absolutely nothing preventing you from selling your home and possessions and giving the proceeds to the poor regardless of their faith, beliefs, willingness to work, etc. I do wish you good luck with your wife and kids if you choose to go that route. :thumb:

I agree, this is a goodie, but IMO the key phrase setting it up is, "All the believers were one in heart and mind." The sharing that went on was among believers (Christians) sharing with other believers (Christians.) The givers and receivers were operating under the same rules of conduct. Those who were able to give, gave to those in need but willing to live by certain basic standards. There was a very high level of responsibility expected of both giver and receiver.

 

This is not the standard of conduct in a culture that does not acknowledge God in His proper context, does not discourage extramarital sex and birthing children out of wedlock... a system where men can be around for the fun stuff and leave the mothers to raise the children alone... a system that not only allows, but often encourages killing innocent children created out of wedlock because they are inconvenient.

 

Say what you will, but the difference in the two cultures isn't even an apples and oranges comparison... it's more like apples and artichokes.

 

 

I do agree this is about believers. However, have you ever seen it played out among believers? I just thought it interesting that when we act as God calls us to act, it's amazing how things like this are expected to be the norm.

What does that possibly have to do with the believers sharing their possessions among other believers as described in Acts 4:32-37?

 

How can you mix and match scripture to come up with a version or a message you personally find more appealing?

 

I for one am disgusted with being guilt tripped into paying higher and higher taxes to a government populated by boobs who cannot balance a budget or say no to special interests while prostituting themselves for votes and their ego driven lust for power and significance.

 

I can find nowhere in the entire New Testament where believers are instructed to sell all they own and give the proceeds to unbelievers. If I am wrong, I genuinely hope someone will correct me, because I truly do not wish to complete my life on earth in error.

 

There is however, absolutely nothing preventing you from selling your home and possessions and giving the proceeds to the poor regardless of their faith, beliefs, willingness to work, etc. I do wish you good luck with your wife and kids if you choose to go that route. :thumb:

 

I would suggest you do nothing out of guilt, but out of love.