Can You Be Rich and Be a Christian?

[Pinga]

Bill Gates owns a https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Residence_of_Bill_Gates.jpg that overlooks Lake Washington in Medina, Washington. The 66,000-square-foot (6,100 m2) mansion is noted for its design and the technology it incorporates.[1]

In 2009, property taxes were reported to be US $1.063 million on a total assessed value of US $147.5 million.[2]
But wait there's more:

Bill and Melinda Gates Purchase $43M Luxury Beach House in Del Mar

The billionaire philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates have purchased a beach house—splashing out $43 million for an oceanfront mansion in Del Mar, CA.

www.realtor.com

But wait there's more again:
Besides holding the title of the richest man in the world, Bill Gates is also a big spender when it comes to security. His $150 million complex outside of Seattle Washington is reportedly equipped with some of the most advanced security measures in the world. Whenever Mr. Gates travels in public, which is quite frequently, he is escorted by a large security team. After getting hit with a pie in 1999, Mr. Gates has been especially careful when it comes to his security. Trips to developing countries and other dangerous places make it even more difficult to provide Mr. Gates with adequate security.

Are you using Bill Gates' spending on security as an example of him not being frugal?
Spending significant funds on specialty cars, or spending tons of money on new clothes, jewels...that would be evidence of a lack of frugality.
Keeping yourself and your family safe because you are a target simply because of your wealth...or coz folks hate microsoft...that is not an example.

 

[Pinga]

They may actually be gifted with talents that make money in this society, and also traits which allow them to do so.

I think what you mention about giving away is an important part of happiness. If you have enough to give away and help others, that adds to happiness. It feels good to help. Tithing or doing more than 10% is something that people can and do do.

In addition, if one has money, one might decide to not workfor money, but, instead work for others. It could be volunteering, visiting, cooking, caring....any number of things.

Not having to take that 2nd shift at the local part-time place, and instead spend time doing things that help others will surely make one more happy.

Further to my post, retiring, and just being able to garden, be well, sleep in, enjoy a rainy day, volunteer at your church, etc....gives a greater probability of overall happiness.
That is more likely to happen if the weight of the finances is not an issue.

For those who wish they could retire, but, cannot due to the need of medical insurance (US) or benefits (canada), there can be a weight due to a desire. In fact, retirement may not make them happy, but there is a sense that it will

 

[Luce NDs]

Some old sage stated ...

For those gifted much will be required ...​

Yet the opposite seems to be the incarnation ... human flaw?

 

[Ritafee]

Are you using Bill Gates' spending on security as an example of him not being frugal?
Spending significant funds on specialty cars, or spending tons of money on new clothes, jewels...that would be evidence of a lack of frugality.
Keeping yourself and your family safe because you are a target simply because of your wealth...or coz folks hate microsoft...that is not an example.

 

[Ritafee]

The ancient words of the Prophet Isaiah ring with unnerving relevance today: "Woe to you who legislate evil, who rob the poor of their rights, making women and homeless children your prey."

Why is it that when the rich are in need they're never told they're asking for too much, but when the poor ask for the right to survive, they're met with denigration cloaked in the language of sober pragmatism?

Woe to You Who Legislate Evil and Rob the Poor of Their Rights

Our government's abandonment of the people is sin of the highest order.

www.commondreams.org

 

[GeoFee]

Nicely put! The article rings true. We are now at the end of our civilization. For those with eyes to see this is plain. The majority have no desire to see truth. These repress their instinctual inner voice and persist in the seductive illusions of corporate owned media. Carl Jung notes this suppression of truth as the precursor to mass neurosis.

All prophets, in all times, have warned humanity concerning the consequences following the misuse and abuse of power. Those who heard their words turned from status quo to undertake a journey of transformation. A prime example being the first century community gathered around the words and actions of Jesus. Other examples being Lao Tzu, Buddha and Socrates. All call for the forsaking of power in the service of peace.

Today the voice of reason is calling out around the world. All who hear and adopt the practice of critical thinking will find their way to soul security. These will shine the light of truth by which the darkness of error is overcome.

As Jesus said: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

 

[GeoFee]

Spending significant funds on specialty cars, or spending tons of money on new clothes, jewels...that would be evidence of a lack of frugality.

Is this not the pattern at work in our western social structures? Might we not spend our surplus earning in service to the health and well being of the earth’s starving children? Not as charity but as justice?

 

[Luce NDs]

If some suffices ... would a whole lot be beta ... then how many wives did David and Solomon have?

The choice of a broad population in the house so as to overcome the brute with ephemeral passions? Then the man can't do much damage ...

Broad based wisdom? It is wide open to satyr ... you knock ... or Eunice? Unique ... like Michael ... the flaming angel ...

 

[Luce NDs]

Is sol enlightenment in a dark space .. an Eire hated by the powers?

Thus encourage naivete in the PAX (old Roman for the peoples/demos) ... crowds that stir and become a danger to tyranny?

Ohmi gawd ... that should worry the point man on the pyramid scheme (another conspiracy)! Thus the icon of "V" as the point descends ...

Leave it as a cycling abstract ... water swirling about the pyre ... pie'r? Something all alone at sea ...

 

[unsafe]

Can you be a True Christian and have a successful business run under good Godly moral values ---giving God the glory and credit for the success of the business instead of taking the credit for the success yourself that you have been Blessed with by God ---God owns everything ---we own nothing ------that is what we humans need to get ------

Well this man says you can ------the owner of the hobby Lobby stores -----and who are we to call David Green a liar and say God would never allow this -----God has no problem with people having great success as long as they give Him the Glory and use the Money to advance His Spiritual Kingdom ---but greed is in this world and it will be in this World until Jesus destroys His old earth and brings down the New earth ------Only God knows where a persons heart lies ---we don't -------

Meet David Green: Hobby Lobby's Biblical Billionaire

s://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2012/09/18/david-green-the-biblical-billionaire-backing-the-evangelical-movement/#5aea52fa5807

"I don't care if you're in business or out of business, God owns it," says Green.

There are very few members of The Forbes 400 who bring religion to work. Most notable are Chick-fil-A's Truett Cathy and Forever 21 's Jin Sook and Do Won Chang, born-again Christians who keep Bibles in their office and print John 3:16 on the bottom of each shopping bag.


I say ---right attitude ---and advancing God's Kingdom by sending out His word ---who is Jesus by the way ==
and here are a bunch more christian entrepreneurs who have had success -----read for yourselves

These Companies Have Made Being Religious Part of Their Image - Wall St. Watchdog

These successful companies refuse to hide their religion in their stores.

www.cheatsheet.com

I say ------
only God knows what they really do with their Blessings which are not for us but to help others in need ------if your broke you can't do what the Good Samaritan -did and pay for a room to help the injured man recover--- and then offer to reimburse the person if it cost more than you payed for ------all you can do is bandage the mans wounds and pour oil over him and leave him on the side of the road or take him home with you till he recovers ------as you are in lack of funds -to help your neighbour ------

God knows our hearts and where our treasure lies within our hearts ------saving souls for God's Kingdom is more important than just talking about the greed of businesses that we humans can't fix or do anything about in my opinion ------this world is full of Greed in businesses and in our personal lives -----this Greed will end and so will all unrighteousness when God is ready to destroy this earth and everything in it ----

We can't fix Greed --but what we can fix is where people end up in their end by preaching and talking God's truth about the Good News ------

 

[unsafe]

If God had a big problem with wealth and the rich -----He would have never picked ---Job ---or Abraham ----who God called Righteous in His Eyes ------we are to be good stewards over what belongs to God and that includes Money -----

God made Abraham's boys -Isaac and Jacob -wealthy -----Solomon was wealthy King David was wealthy -----

And get this ---Job lost all he had and God restored all he had better than he had -----so people who continue to say that God wants people in lack are contradicting what the scriptures really say =Money is not the problem --it is how we use it and for what purpose we use it -------when money controls us then we have a big problem ----when we control our money and use it to glorify God and His Kingdom ---God is OK with His Money being used for His purpose ------and that is what needs to be preached and taught ------not twisting scripture to suit what we want it to say to suit our agenda ------and keep people away from what God created for His use ------not our use ----

 

[BetteTheRed]

And get this ---Job lost all he had and God restored all he had better than he had

Get this. The "God" we're talking about is the "God" of Hebrew people, the Jews, and Job wasn't a Jew, but a gentile. He was still considered righteous by both God and the Jewish people, even though he didn't belong to their religion.

It would be like the Hobby Lobby guy welcoming Jews and Muslims and Hindus as equal to Christians, and from what I hear about him, probably not accurate. Unsafe, do you find it even slightly alarming that at least two of your "Christian Wealthy Good Guys" are virulently anti-LGBT rights?

 

[unsafe]

BetteTheRed -----your said ---and Job wasn't a Jew ----I say ------are you really sure about that ???????---------


This is what I found on Job ----there BetteTheRed -----

Where is your piece that says Job was for sure a Gentile ----will wait to see it -----I believe Job was a Jew because God Chose the Jewish Nation to be his people ------read all below for yourself

Genealogy of Job
By Mary Jane Chaignot

Categories: Job, Old Testament

Genealogy of Job - Bible Study - BibleWise

Who were Job's parents and when he was born.

www.biblewise.com

The best scholars can do is place Uz in the "East," possibly in Edom. There is a little more information in the Greek and Latin versions of the Book of Job. There, it states that Job dwelt in Ausitis on the confines of Idumea and Arabia. It continues that his original name was Johab. He married an Arabian woman and fathered Ennon. Job's father was Zerah who was from the lineage of Esau – five generations from Abraham. They were natives of Bozrah. The text continues that Job reigned in Edom succeeding Balak, the son of Beor. (In the Hebrew Bible, Balaam is the son of Beor.) Following Job were Husham and then Hadad, who was the son of Bedad and who defeated the Midianites in the fields of Moab. His city was named Arith. His three friends were Eliaphaz, a descendant of Esau and king of Teman, Bildad, king of the Shuhites, and Zophar, king of the Naamathites. Several church Fathers as well as Philo, Aristeus, and Polyhistor attested to the accuracy of this genealogy.


I say -----So Esaw was the brother of Jacob --Esaw sold hid birth right to Jacob for food ----and these 2 were Jewish -----

So you can think Job was a Gentile ---I believe he was of the Jewish lineage ------that makes perfect sense to me -----

 

[unsafe]

BetteTheRed -----you said ----Unsafe, do you find it even slightly alarming that at least two of your "Christian Wealthy Good Guys" are virulently anti-LGBT rights?

Well We are not talking how these people feel about certain groups --- here BetteTheRed ---we are talking wealthy business owners who address their success to God ------I find it very annoying and uncalled for that you would even bring into this conversation gender or sexual preference ------that has nothing to do with the wealth these people have from their businesses and giving credit to their success to God -----

Your out of bounds here in my view -----you should go and start a new thread on that topic if that is what you want to discuss ------this thread is about ----

Can You Be Rich and Be a Christian?

 

[BetteTheRed]

Yes, but your information comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew bible, the Septaguint, the precursor of the "Old Testament" of the Christian bible. So, again, you've got a Christian lens on to read a Jewish text, which I don't think is totally cricket. If I go looking for information on something in the Hebrew Bible, I'm more likely to go to Jewish sources - because it's "their" text, and they are the experts on it. However, uncomfortably for people who like a single answer, they agree on nothing. If you've got four rabbis, you've got at least five rabbinical opinions.

In some rabbinical traditions, Job is "one of the prophets of the gentiles". (JOB - JewishEncyclopedia.com). On the other hand, many rabbis believe that this story is purely myth, that no person of Job actually existed.

 

[jimkenney12]

Hobby Lobby pushed for reopening and put profits ahead of the safety and well-being of their employees. Not much glory for God in the eyes of the public when greed takes precedence over compassion. His words may give glory to God but his deeds do not. Jesus said that it is by their fruits that they are known. Hobby Lobby has rotten fruit

 

[unsafe]

BetteTheRed -----I have read your piece you gave and this is what it says below -----

I say -----So you have 2 conflicting reports in the piece you gave ----------------
some think he was a Gentile while others say an Israelite --but then Israelite is there 2 times --which for me confirms for me he was Jewish -----

and at the bottom it says this -------All the Tannaim and Amoraim, with the exception ofthe one who placed Job in the time of Jacob, were of opinion that Job was an Israelite" (comp. also Gen. R. l.c.).


Raba, specifying the time more accurately, said Job lived in the time of the spies who were sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan (B. B. 15a). According to these rabbis, Job was a Gentile—an opinion which is elsewhere expressed more fully, in that Job is said to have been a pious Gentile or one of the prophets of the Gentiles (ib. 15b; Seder 'Olam R. xxi.).

Other tannaim place Job variously in the reign of Saba, in that of the Chaldees, and in that of Ahasuerus. R. Johanan and R. Eleazar both declared that Job was one of those who returned from the Captivity and that his bet ha-midrash was at Tiberias (Yer. Soṭah v. 8; B. B. l.c.; Gen. R. l.c.). It is said in B. B. (ib.) that these tannaim necessarily considered Job an Israelite;

but R. Hananeel (ad loc.) has in his text, "All the Tannaim and Amoraim, with the exception ofthe one who placed Job in the time of Jacob, were of opinion that Job was an Israelite" (comp. also Gen. R. l.c.).

 

[unsafe]

Jimkenney 12 ----

This is what I found on Hobby Lobby reopening ---so I don't know where you got your info from ----

Hobby Lobby reopens after it’s deemed an ‘essential business’
The retailer temporarily shut its doors chainwide April 3, days after Maine Gov. Janet Mills issued a stay-at-home order.

Hobby Lobby reopens after it’s deemed an ‘essential business’

The retailer temporarily shut its doors chainwide April 3, days after Maine Gov. Janet Mills issued a stay-at-home order.

www.pressherald.com

AUBURN — Hobby Lobby reopened Monday after being deemed an essential business by the state because it sells cloth that could be used to make face masks.


The chain faced backlash for staying open longer than other retailers in the face of COVID-19 and closed April 3, furloughing employees.

In Maine, at least, Hobby Lobby argued to reopen.

A letter from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development obtained by the Sun Journal dated April 16 reads: “We have received your designation request. After careful review, it has been determined that Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. does align with the intent of and interests served by the Governor’s Executive Order 28FY19/20 and therefore is considered an essential business within the meaning of the Order.”

 

[Luce NDs]

What did God say about ... extracting things from Judah (the power of punch) and passing it on to the gentile situation?

There may be unseen strings forming a network!

 

[BetteTheRed]

So you have 2 conflicting reports in the piece you gave

Oh, my goodness, you only saw TWO conflicting reports in that article about Job? There were easily half a dozen conflicting opinions, just in a cursory over-read.

That's the friggin' point, unsafe.

We come from an original scriptural culture, Judaism, that respects and CELEBRATES different opinions. They think that "one answer" equals "not thinking"...