The problem of being rich
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Christ came to this earth for a very specific purpose, and would return to Heaven after He had completed His mission. But while on earth, "He made Himself of no reputation" and "He humbled Himself". If Moses was the meekest man of earth, then Christ was the humblest Man on earth -- the one who was the eternal King of Heaven would not even take a home for Himself. He would wash His disciples feet. He would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. All of this pertains to His HUMILIATION as the Servant of Yahweh at His first coming (or advent).
But that is not how everything ends. When Christ returns to earth at His Second Coming, He will come "WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY" to destroy all His enemies with the breath of His mouth and the brightness of His coming. He will literally come as King of kings and Lord of lords, destroy ALL the kingdoms of the world, and establish the Kingdom of God on earth in peace and righteousness.
As to what is expected of believers, the plain teaching of Scripture for Christians in general is to (1) work in order to eat and support your family, (2) have a home for your wife and children, (3) offer others (particularly Christian brothers and sisters) hospitality in your home.
But that is not how everything ends. When Christ returns to earth at His Second Coming, He will come "WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY" to destroy all His enemies with the breath of His mouth and the brightness of His coming. He will literally come as King of kings and Lord of lords, destroy ALL the kingdoms of the world, and establish the Kingdom of God on earth in peace and righteousness.
As to what is expected of believers, the plain teaching of Scripture for Christians in general is to (1) work in order to eat and support your family, (2) have a home for your wife and children, (3) offer others (particularly Christian brothers and sisters) hospitality in your home.
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So, what??? the wealth is to build the Temple, not to give to Christians. The context relates to Ancient Israel, not to Christians. Context Matters.
Haggai 2 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
The Lord Encourages the People
2 On the 21st day of the seventh month, this message from the Lord came to Haggai: 2 “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the people. Say this: 3 ‘How many of you people look at this Temple and try to compare it to the beautiful Temple that was destroyed? What do you think? Does this Temple seem like nothing when you compare it with the first Temple? 4 But the Lord says, “Zerubbabel, don’t be discouraged!” And the Lord says, “Joshua son of Jehozadak, you are the high priest. Don’t be discouraged! And all you people who live in the land, don’t be discouraged! Continue this work, because I am with you.” This is what the Lord All-Powerful said.
5 “‘I made an agreement with you when you left Egypt, and I have kept my promise. My Spirit is with you, so don’t be afraid!’ 6 This is what the Lord All-Powerful said, ‘In just a little while, I will once again shake things up. I will shake heaven and earth, and I will shake the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake up the nations, and they will come to you with wealth from every nation. And then I will fill this Temple with glory.’ That is what the Lord All-Powerful said! 8 ‘All their silver really belongs to me! And all the gold is mine!’ This is what the Lord All-Powerful said. 9 And the Lord All-Powerful said, ‘This last Temple will be more beautiful than the first one, and I will bring peace to this place.’ Remember, this is what the Lord All-Powerful said.”
Haggai 2 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
The Lord Encourages the People
2 On the 21st day of the seventh month, this message from the Lord came to Haggai: 2 “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the people. Say this: 3 ‘How many of you people look at this Temple and try to compare it to the beautiful Temple that was destroyed? What do you think? Does this Temple seem like nothing when you compare it with the first Temple? 4 But the Lord says, “Zerubbabel, don’t be discouraged!” And the Lord says, “Joshua son of Jehozadak, you are the high priest. Don’t be discouraged! And all you people who live in the land, don’t be discouraged! Continue this work, because I am with you.” This is what the Lord All-Powerful said.
5 “‘I made an agreement with you when you left Egypt, and I have kept my promise. My Spirit is with you, so don’t be afraid!’ 6 This is what the Lord All-Powerful said, ‘In just a little while, I will once again shake things up. I will shake heaven and earth, and I will shake the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake up the nations, and they will come to you with wealth from every nation. And then I will fill this Temple with glory.’ That is what the Lord All-Powerful said! 8 ‘All their silver really belongs to me! And all the gold is mine!’ This is what the Lord All-Powerful said. 9 And the Lord All-Powerful said, ‘This last Temple will be more beautiful than the first one, and I will bring peace to this place.’ Remember, this is what the Lord All-Powerful said.”
the one that says all things are through Him and for His glory.
yes He became flesh and lived simply and humbly. but i cannot set aside that He is also and always is the Lord God Almighty and that nothing exists which does not belong to Him. in view of who He truly is i am wroth to call Him poor - its just not an accurate statement in my opinion. He is King of all kings; that ain't no pauper.
yes He became flesh and lived simply and humbly. but i cannot set aside that He is also and always is the Lord God Almighty and that nothing exists which does not belong to Him. in view of who He truly is i am wroth to call Him poor - its just not an accurate statement in my opinion. He is King of all kings; that ain't no pauper.
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Your quotes do not relate to him as how he lived on earth.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Luke 2:22-24 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22 The time came for Mary and Joseph to do the things the Law of Moses taught about being made pure. They brought Jesus to Jerusalem so that they could present him to the Lord. 23 It is written in the law of the Lord: “When a mother’s first baby is a boy, he shall be called ‘special for the Lord.’” 24 The law of the Lord also says that people must give a sacrifice: “You must sacrifice two doves or two young pigeons.” So Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem to do this.
Leviticus 12:7-8 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
7-8 If the woman cannot afford a lamb, she may bring two doves or two young pigeons. One bird will be for a burnt offering and one for a sin offering. The priest will offer them before the Lord. In this way the priest will make her pure, and she will be clean from the blood of childbirth. These are the rules for a woman who gives birth to a baby boy or a baby girl.”
The above shows Jesus was born into a poor family.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Luke 2:22-24 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22 The time came for Mary and Joseph to do the things the Law of Moses taught about being made pure. They brought Jesus to Jerusalem so that they could present him to the Lord. 23 It is written in the law of the Lord: “When a mother’s first baby is a boy, he shall be called ‘special for the Lord.’” 24 The law of the Lord also says that people must give a sacrifice: “You must sacrifice two doves or two young pigeons.” So Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem to do this.
Leviticus 12:7-8 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
7-8 If the woman cannot afford a lamb, she may bring two doves or two young pigeons. One bird will be for a burnt offering and one for a sin offering. The priest will offer them before the Lord. In this way the priest will make her pure, and she will be clean from the blood of childbirth. These are the rules for a woman who gives birth to a baby boy or a baby girl.”
The above shows Jesus was born into a poor family.
Philippians 2:5–11 (NIV)
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being …
Luke 9:57–58 (NIV)
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
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THE PATRONAGE OF WEALTHY WOMEN AND MEN
During his ministry years, Jesus freely associated with the sick and the poor; however, many of his friends were wealthy, including his more notorious friends (Mark 2:15-16). Moreover, Jesus’ ministry was sponsored by many women who accompanied Jesus and ministered to him out of their own resources (Luke 8:2-3 cf. Matt. 27:55-56). This money was put into a communal purse (John 12:6 NRSV).[5]
Martha and Mary of Bethany were wealthy and hospitable women. Jesus was their friend and a welcome guest in their home (Luke 10:38). An example of their wealth is demonstrated by Mary pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. The perfume was worth a year’s wages (John 12:4-8). Martha and Mary of Bethany were devoted to Jesus, as was Mary the Magdalene and others. No doubt there were many grateful women and men who opened their homes to Jesus and made sure that he was well-provided for. Was the provision of the upper room and the Passover meal a generous gift? (See Matt. 26:17-19; Luke 22:7-13.)" https://margmowczko.com/was-jesus-poor/
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being …
Luke 9:57–58 (NIV)
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
"
THE PATRONAGE OF WEALTHY WOMEN AND MEN
During his ministry years, Jesus freely associated with the sick and the poor; however, many of his friends were wealthy, including his more notorious friends (Mark 2:15-16). Moreover, Jesus’ ministry was sponsored by many women who accompanied Jesus and ministered to him out of their own resources (Luke 8:2-3 cf. Matt. 27:55-56). This money was put into a communal purse (John 12:6 NRSV).[5]
Martha and Mary of Bethany were wealthy and hospitable women. Jesus was their friend and a welcome guest in their home (Luke 10:38). An example of their wealth is demonstrated by Mary pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. The perfume was worth a year’s wages (John 12:4-8). Martha and Mary of Bethany were devoted to Jesus, as was Mary the Magdalene and others. No doubt there were many grateful women and men who opened their homes to Jesus and made sure that he was well-provided for. Was the provision of the upper room and the Passover meal a generous gift? (See Matt. 26:17-19; Luke 22:7-13.)" https://margmowczko.com/was-jesus-poor/
If you wish to follow Christ's example, here is your mandate (Luke 4:18,29):
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
[1] he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor;
[2] he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
[3] to preach deliverance to the captives,
[4 ]and recovering of sight to the blind,
[5] to set at liberty them that are bruised,
[6] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
[1] he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor;
[2] he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
[3] to preach deliverance to the captives,
[4 ]and recovering of sight to the blind,
[5] to set at liberty them that are bruised,
[6] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
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Yea Jesus was homeless..effectively banned from the temple, he slept under the trees on the mount of olives.
He wasnt rich by any means in terms of possessions and monetary wealth. Born in a stable. LIved in Nazareth, Galillee, which wasnt a rich town. If he was rich he could have fed 5000 people out of his own pocket but he and his disciples had no money! So it was a miracle!
If Jesus was rich, he could have planned his own funeral and had insurance, and he could have got someone to bail him out of the crucifixtion. He could have retired and gone on holiday instead of starting a ministry. He would have given away Marys anointing oil to the poor if he was so rich he could afford to. He would probably have rented a swanky apartment in Jerusalem and used Galilee for his weekend getaway. He would have had a horse and chariots instead of a donkey.
What a different life Jesus would have led if he was rich! He probably would have been on the sandrehin and elected to their quorum, and maybe sold copies of the Torah and done brand positioning.
He wasnt rich by any means in terms of possessions and monetary wealth. Born in a stable. LIved in Nazareth, Galillee, which wasnt a rich town. If he was rich he could have fed 5000 people out of his own pocket but he and his disciples had no money! So it was a miracle!
If Jesus was rich, he could have planned his own funeral and had insurance, and he could have got someone to bail him out of the crucifixtion. He could have retired and gone on holiday instead of starting a ministry. He would have given away Marys anointing oil to the poor if he was so rich he could afford to. He would probably have rented a swanky apartment in Jerusalem and used Galilee for his weekend getaway. He would have had a horse and chariots instead of a donkey.
What a different life Jesus would have led if he was rich! He probably would have been on the sandrehin and elected to their quorum, and maybe sold copies of the Torah and done brand positioning.
