The Cellar - View Single Post - The doom of the rich, the blessing of the poor

Gannet495 · 08-07-2007, 08:40 AM

Act 2:40-47
(40) And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
(41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
(42) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
(43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
(44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
(45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
(46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
(47) Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

v44: the BELIEVERS had ALL THINGS COMMON

The doctrine of selling what you have to give to the poor is not something that CAN OR SHOULD be implemented on a state level, or else, yes, it would be communism (to some extent). The -willing- (believers) of the doctrine of the apostles, as described in Acts and also mentioned by Jesus, were the ones that sold all and SHARED all as each had need.

So yes, if a rich person sells all and gives to the poor, they too become poor, but then they also find themselves with several benefits:

1) more friends (Luk 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.)

2) reward in heaven: (Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.)

3) a clear conscience, especially if you have gained your wealth from deceit and robbery, and you will also ease the plight of the poor around you, which should hopefully make you feel good about yourself.

4) in the early church, it was not just 1 person selling all, there were multiple people laying their wealth at the feet of the apostles, which was then distributed to all IN the church, and they ALL worked to make money, so that when ONE part of the body of Christ was in lack, it could be supplemented by ANOTHER (richer in material wealth) part which lacked not.

Thus leading the church into greater unity, as Jesus intended, and causing the people in that church to have a vested interest in the church and in one another. They, having stored their treasures in heaven through GIVING (giving is like putting your money into an eternal bank), then focus their thoughts on Jesus and the less fortunate among them, loving one another AS themselves.

Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Do you wish men would give you $5 if they have lots of extra money? Then the law, according to God here in v7:12, is that you give to others. Whatsoever you would have men do unto you. Would you have someone compliment you on your clothing or whatever? Do it to someone else first. That's the essence of love, and that's why giving everything away isn't as preposterous of an idea as it sounds. I'll address some of your other replies in an upcoming post.

But consider, if you see some preacher on tv, and he's filthy rich, do you really think the love of God dwells in him?? when there are so many poor there? that is why the power of God has left large portions of the church and healings no longer occur, because God is very irritated at the "prosperity" movement as some call it.

What is the VERY FIRST part of the sermon on the mount??

(Mat 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Luk 6:20) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

The poor are blessed. But the rich? who have everything they need in this life, all the comfort, all that consolation?

Luk 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

You can either have it here or there. Here lasts 120y or so max, there lasts an eternity. So, --- GIVE --- and put your treasures in heaven. Help those in need. Is that such a foreign concept to you all?

08-07-2007, 08:40 AM	#39
Gannet495 Disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, God's Son Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 22	Act 2:40-47 (40) And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. v44: the BELIEVERS had ALL THINGS COMMON The doctrine of selling what you have to give to the poor is not something that CAN OR SHOULD be implemented on a state level, or else, yes, it would be communism (to some extent). The -willing- (believers) of the doctrine of the apostles, as described in Acts and also mentioned by Jesus, were the ones that sold all and SHARED all as each had need. So yes, if a rich person sells all and gives to the poor, they too become poor, but then they also find themselves with several benefits: 1) more friends (Luk 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.) 2) reward in heaven: (Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.) 3) a clear conscience, especially if you have gained your wealth from deceit and robbery, and you will also ease the plight of the poor around you, which should hopefully make you feel good about yourself. 4) in the early church, it was not just 1 person selling all, there were multiple people laying their wealth at the feet of the apostles, which was then distributed to all IN the church, and they ALL worked to make money, so that when ONE part of the body of Christ was in lack, it could be supplemented by ANOTHER (richer in material wealth) part which lacked not. Thus leading the church into greater unity, as Jesus intended, and causing the people in that church to have a vested interest in the church and in one another. They, having stored their treasures in heaven through GIVING (giving is like putting your money into an eternal bank), then focus their thoughts on Jesus and the less fortunate among them, loving one another AS themselves. Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Do you wish men would give you $5 if they have lots of extra money? Then the law, according to God here in v7:12, is that you give to others. Whatsoever you would have men do unto you. Would you have someone compliment you on your clothing or whatever? Do it to someone else first. That's the essence of love, and that's why giving everything away isn't as preposterous of an idea as it sounds. I'll address some of your other replies in an upcoming post. But consider, if you see some preacher on tv, and he's filthy rich, do you really think the love of God dwells in him?? when there are so many poor there? that is why the power of God has left large portions of the church and healings no longer occur, because God is very irritated at the "prosperity" movement as some call it. What is the VERY FIRST part of the sermon on the mount?? (Mat 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Luk 6:20) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. The poor are blessed. But the rich? who have everything they need in this life, all the comfort, all that consolation? Luk 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. You can either have it here or there. Here lasts 120y or so max, there lasts an eternity. So, --- GIVE --- and put your treasures in heaven. Help those in need. Is that such a foreign concept to you all?