idiglove,

As you pointed out, the Bible says it is the LOVE of money that is wrong. Not HAVING money. Why not reading the article that I posted and see all the Bible passages before arguing against a straw man?

You answered you own question!

When Jesus used those terms, it was in reference to the motives by which the money was gotten

This is a moot point by now it seems you even realize you're beating a dead horse

Instead of cutting to the chase which is as Lee correctly pointed out.... the "Love" of money is the root of all evil.



The "Love" of money makes the money "mammon of unrighteousness", and "filthy lucre not merely having it

Wow.... after all that on 2 threads, you answered your own question!!

(NOTE: This thread links directly to the main page under the heading "What Does the Bible Have to Say About Money?" I have re-started this discussion after some further thought and prayer about the title).



Just a suggestion...


How about we consider re-naming this discussion topic to this:

"What Does Jesus Have to Say About Money"

instead of "What Does the Bible Have to Say About Money"?

That way, I think it would clarify where we, as Christians, should head first into scripture for guidance (i.e. Jesus and his teachings).

After all, how many Christians do you know that really put into practice what they read from Leviticus? For example, can you recall the last time you stoned someone for committing adultery? Or how about the last time you tore your house down (brick by brick) because it had some mold in it?

 On the contrary, this would (or at least should) never be the case in regard to Jesus' actual teachings and how timelessly they relate to everything a Christian (or "little Christ") needs to know about all of life and how to live it.

Yes, that's true, and we are both in agreement about that fact. But I do find it more than a little strange that people, for some reason, always feel like they have to clarify that point, as if I have been confused about it.


Right again!

But what WOULD most likely change after referring to the things Jesus specifically said about money would be our perception of what it means to be "blessed". Think about it... Jesus said "blessed are the poor", and then went even further to clarify that point by also saying "WOE to the rich".

Wow. And what is it that makes it so hard for a RICH person to get into heaven anyway, Jesus?


Also, notice how the only thing that got the rich man in trouble with God was just simply ignoring Lazarus outside his gate (or gated community)?

You see, the reason I brought this up to begin with was that I was just disappointed to see how the teachings of Jesus are almost always left out of these kind of discussions, as if we think he couldn't possibly have anything relevant to say about it.

No, John, this is not a "hobby horse", but an attempt to allow Jesus' teachings on the matter to be given some proper airtime, as it's really the other side of this debate that has been worn out and people are looking for something deeper than the same old dung heap.


BTW, Jesus said, "when you give gifts to the poor, do it secretly", so how is it that we all seem to know about all the good things Rick Warren has done?

Can anyone else see just how much opposition there is to pretty much everything Jesus taught? He said "...and you will be hated by all men for my name's sake", and no one appears sees any contradiction when we start shouting praises of some of the most "respectable leaders" in the church. If we are not "hated by all men" for the sake of Jesus' gospel, chances are we sold out long ago.


As arrogant as  it sounds, most of what you will find on this forum will be hobby horse competitions, whereas all that I can be accused of is a radical committment to Jesus' teachings, and simply reminding people about what he said.

So if you and others are tired of the gospel (or teachings) of Jesus Christ, maybe you should consider joining some other organization that shares your disdain. How about "Atheists United"?

And I never claimed to be doing that. The teachings of Jesus are over 2,000 years old by now.

However, most people here (including you) would probably realize that the only thing unique about what I am sharing is that these teachings are almost universally NOT taught in the modern churches, and there is an even greater unlikelihood of them being practiced.

Here are a few in case they've been forgotten already:

"No one can serve 2 masters, for he will love one and hate the other, or else be loyal to one and despise the other. You can not serve (which means to work for) God AND money" Mt. 6:24-33


"Sell what you have and give to the poor" Luke 11, 12, and 14.

"Do not store up treasures on the face of the earth". (I'll let you look that one up).



If what you are saying is true, I'd be curious to hear YOUR interpretation of those things above that Jesus taught.

But I've gotta warn you, most people word their responses in such a way that has Jesus saying the exact OPPOSITE of what he taught and was practiced by the first century Christians.

BTW, it wasn't me who said that our gifts to the poor are to be done in secret. Wanna guess who it was? If people have a problem with it, they'll just have to talk to THE Manager about it.

Lets not forget Luke 18:24, "Jesus looked at him and said, How hard is it for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God? Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go thru the eye of a needle, then for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  Seems pretty cut and dried.

And your point is as relates to this topic?

idglove
There are many stories and parables in Luke 11, 12 and 14.  They all are carring the same message.  If you love anything, father mother wealth whatever more than God or if it keeps you from serving God then it must go.  He is not saying that everyone must get rid of every earthy possesion to be pleasing to God .  That is a gross misrepresentation of what scripture is saying. 
Where is the evidence that the apostles all sold everything that they had and depended solely on God to supply their needs.  Paul was a tent maker and continued that vocation to support himself.