Kneading Bread

6 Comments

• #1 by Rob on September 11th, 2006

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  I go back-and-forth on this issue, which probably means that I don’t fully understand it. On the one hand, it’s clear that we are not to love money, that being poor is not inherently wrong, and that our focus should be on treasures in heaven. On the other hand, I read Proverbs as saying that wisdom is rewarded, often financially, and I think part of God’s blessing to say, Abraham, Solomon, and Job, was their wealth. Perhaps the solution is to accept wealth and use it wisely, but not to be consumed by the pursuit of it?

  Obviously, given what I write in my day job, the issue is of some relevance to me. Thank you for posting.

  Rob.

• #2 by Tom on September 13th, 2006

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  It isn’t whether you are rich or not, but rather that the churches are pushing the idea that God wants you to be rich (therefore happy and settled.) I would take suffering and nearness to Jesus over money any day.

• #3 by Rob on September 13th, 2006

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  Hi, Tom.

  I certainly can’t disagree with taking Jesus over money. And I think it’s an overstatement to say that God wants everyone to be rich. Some people, he evidently does. Other people, he apparently does not. (And might the matter with others be left up to their own actions? I don’t know.)

  I read the article on the Mars Hill church, with mixed feelings. There’s a lot to think about.

  Best wishes,
  Rob.

• #4 by Tom on September 14th, 2006

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  Rob,

  The determination of who is rich and who is poor is something that God’s wisdom and soveriegnty decides, I think it is one of those great mysteries. Since nothing can happen without it being according to the plan of the omnipresent I AM, I acknowledge that God can will blessed people to be poor or rich, likewise with sinful people. I am always drawn back to these words though (from the ESV):

  And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23-24)

  The many verses on poverty and riches (and the duties and difficulties of each) have such weight and are worthy of serious unpacking that a sermon series of fantastic length could be preached!

  Peace,
  Tom

• #5 by Rob on September 14th, 2006

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  How true! I really like John Wesley’s sermon “The Use of Money.” Very sensible, I think.

  Best wishes,
  Rob.

• #6 by Tom on September 15th, 2006

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  I’ve just printed that out to read it, thanks for pointing me to it. (It can be found here)