Solomons Riches

[Annahavil]

1 KINGS C3 v13 why does God give Solomon riches and honour?  In most parts of the Bible riches are frowned upon.  Not that rich people are bigger sinners but that they have a great responsibility to use their money wisely.  The obvious problem is that the majority of rich people seem to spend their money foolishly.  Too many get carried away, swept into a continous spending spree where money becomes their God.  As time goes on they slowly become bankrupt, bringing disgrace to the family.  The rich are abviously obliged to help those less fortunate than themselves.  Helping charities, the poor and the unemployed gives them a new purpose to their lives.  A sence of fulfillment and therby fulfill the real message of the Bible.  Wealth brings great responsibility especially when we consider low paid workers.  Their wages need to be raised and obviously high wages reduced.  Trying to equalise society would reduce greed so obviously crime would reduced and God would be praised.  In other words as the rich help their fellow man they are helping God.

[ollie]

1 KINGS C3 v13 why does God give Solomon riches and honour?  In most parts of the Bible riches are frowned upon.  Not that rich people are bigger sinners but that they have a great responsibility to use their money wisely.  The obvious problem is that the majority of rich people seem to spend their money foolishly.  Too many get carried away, swept into a continous spending spree where money becomes their God.  As time goes on they slowly become bankrupt, bringing disgrace to the family.  The rich are abviously obliged to help those less fortunate than themselves.  Helping charities, the poor and the unemployed gives them a new purpose to their lives.  A sence of fulfillment and therby fulfill the real message of the Bible.  Wealth brings great responsibility especially when we consider low paid workers.  Their wages need to be raised and obviously high wages reduced.  Trying to equalise society would reduce greed so obviously crime would reduced and God would be praised.  In other words as the rich help their fellow man they are helping God.

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

Matthew 19:16.  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
 17.  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
 18.  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
 19.  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
 20.  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
 21.  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
 22.  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
 23.  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
 24.  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

[JudgeNot]

I have found no where in the Bible where it says it is a sin to be rich.  Granted there are particular passages (a camel through the eye of a needle, etc.) which indicate money leads to sin, however money in and of itself is not wicked.  Wealth being “sin” is more of a communist doctrine than biblical.  The book of Proverbs presents riches in mostly noble or desirable terms (unless it is riches in the hands of a fool?).  

Jesus said “For the poor you will have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” (John 12:  This passage seems to indicate to me that no matter what is given by “the rich” it will not be enough to alleviate suffering due to poverty.  

What do you consider “rich”?  The poorest of the poor in the USA would be considered “rich” in Sudan.  What do you consider the “floor” and what is the “ceiling” as far as “have” and “have not”?  

There is a practical side to every argument.  But I fail to see a practical side of “redistribution of wealth” - for that in itself only creates greater poverty:  If you take away from those who employ, then they can no longer employ and more go without.  (I’m not saying you are advocating communism or redistribution of wealth – this is only a statement for arguments sake.)

The Old Testament spoke in percentages (10%) - for tithing.  It didn’t matter if one had more (was "richer") than another.  God didn’t require 2% for the poor, 3% for the fairly poor, 5% for the medium poor, 10% for the medium rich and 20% for the rich – just 10% for everyone.

I think you’ve brought up a good subject, Annahavil, – I am surprised there are so few replies to your post.

[ollie]

It is not a sin to be rich, but rather it is a sin to see your brother hath need and you having plenty do not see to it that his needs are met.

[JudgeNot]

Ollie - I've never yet been able to argue with the things you say, and I certainly can't start now.
The Christians who are "rich" are those who I believe would use their riches in a way to glorify the Lord - the other would be the "fools" talked about in Proverbs.

[aw]

Watch out now gang or we'll get into the prosperity message of the televangelists!

I'll chip in a few. It is the "LOVE" of money that it is the ROOT of ALL evil. A person can be as broke as a church mouse and still be in love with money.

Scripture in Timothy says to "Trust not in uncertain riches but in the living God who richly gives you ALL things to enjoy."

Proverbs 10:22 reads, "The blessing of the Lord maketh rich and He adds no sorrow with it."

People will argue that the following refers to the spiritual only but they are wrong as the entire context is about giving and temporal blessings, "Even though He was very rich yet He became poor that you through His poverty might be rich." (2 Cor 8:9) and 9:8 reads that ALL grace abounds toward us that we always have all sufficiency in all things and abound to every god work. Or, we should have our needs met with ample resources to bless others.

There are many others and we serve "EL Shaddiah" and not "EL CHEAPO."

aw