After some further thinking through, I think I should clarify on some things further. With regards to whether it is ok to buy LV bags, BMW7, omega watches or properties, I think you really have to have discretion when buying such goods. Firstly, do you know anyone that has great need for this money? If yes, then you should give it to them instead of buying such goods. Secondly, do these goods retain value or even become more expensive when you sell them? If yes, and if you are ready to sell them when God wants you to sell them so that you can fund Christian works, then I think it is ok to buy them. (Well, that means that BMW7, LV bags [if you do not know how to collect them] are not really good things to buy as they depreciate and hence may not be good stewardship). All in all, these things are temporary, therefore your focus should never be on these. If you find that you have become distracted by such things as with others, then you have to watch out, cos that means you are not putting God as the love of your life or your Lord.
I also think that all in all, discretion and wisdom from God is needed in all things including these. I think these kind of things should not take up as much time as what Christians and the world are giving it now, either by bickering or focussing on such minor stuff. Much effort should instead be on reflecting on what we have done, what are our priorities, sharing gospel, serving etc.
To God Be The Glory
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thoughts abt John piper's post abt not chasing after wealth
Haha, yesterday during tuition, I was talking abt the economic crisis with Wei Hong, Ziling and Wei En. Grins, we go on and on abt how bad the economy was doing and the debt of the US was like crazy etc. Then I was talking about why we should invest now etc. Then Wei En ask me whether I have read the blog about Don't desire wealth.
Well, I have now. Haha, I agree with him with the part and that there are alot of people salivating at the prospect of pumping in money now and sit on a pile on cash latter. And I definitely agree with him that desiring to be rich is very dangerous. Money after all is the root of all evils and many have indeed got so drawn by it that they have either renounce their faith in God or walk away from God. There are many people who are rich and claim to be Christian. However, when we look into their lives, we find that they are really drawn to the world and also their children are unable to serve God with all their hearts and soul. Just look at the rich families of US and you get the drift.
The pioneers of the USA were faithful to God and God made them prosper. However, just like Israel in the Bible, they slowly walked away from God and now suffer much consequences from it. People may argue that not all the rich are like that, and I agree. However, those people are really the exceptions.
The pursue of the American dream is really like how the bible discribe the rich man storing his wealth and then think he can eat drink and be merry. However, it seem that the rest of the world is also warming up to the idea of the "American" dream..... may be just a different name for it..... like indian dream, Chinese dream blah blah blah. It is more or less the same- The pursue of wealth as an end or a means to live a high life.
So then, is it wrong for Christians to be wealthy or rich? If it is an end or a means to live a high life, then DEFINITELY YES. We are not called to live a high life here, nor to collect riches. The bible warned us of those. Then is it wrong to sit on a pile of cash or to invest? Again, it will depend on your motives. God said that we are stewards of what He has created. Therefore investing is one way to be a better steward. However, many has change investment as a way of owning business to a number machine that generate cash that is no different from the poker table or the roulette table in the casino. If you view it as that, then I think it is better that you don't invest.
I shall correct what I said above... Sitting on a pile of cash and not using it for God's kingdom is also wrong. Cos it is more or less just trying to get rich as an end.
Then what should Christian do to the cash that God has asked us to be stewards of? Investing is a good way. However, if God really bless your endevour, it is not for you to sit on it or spend it on yourselves to buy that LV bag that some of you may want or that BMW7 series, or that omega watch or whatever... Well, if you do buy that, then when it is time for you to fund some missionary or when the church needs it then you must be really be prepared to sell it. And in most cases, people are not willing to let go when the time comes. Therefore, for those who are not willing to let go, then it is better not to buy. Cos it will also mean that you see it as a treasure- A treasure on earth that you want to store up.
Then how? we cannot have any land of our own or house of our own? NO, i don't mean that. What I am saying is that you must be prepared to give it up when God ask us to. Well, Barnabas in Acts did just that. He probably have more than one land deeds or houses. For the love of his brother and sisters, he gave up his properties for God's kingdom. God gave bless him with wealth. He had the choice to choose what he wants to do with it. He chose to do what God commands. He is really an example for those who God has blessed materially.
God bless us so that we can bless others. Sadly, when we are blessed more and more, we become like the old Israelites. We forget God, or we ignore him. And God judgement will be on us.
Therefore, if we are gonna to invest, then we are to give more and more. If we cannot, then i think we shouldn't invest. It is best that you are accountable to those who are close to you so that they can remind you, cos it is very easy for our eyes to just turn elsewhere when we are so blessed.
God help us in our weakness
To God be the Glory
Well, I have now. Haha, I agree with him with the part and that there are alot of people salivating at the prospect of pumping in money now and sit on a pile on cash latter. And I definitely agree with him that desiring to be rich is very dangerous. Money after all is the root of all evils and many have indeed got so drawn by it that they have either renounce their faith in God or walk away from God. There are many people who are rich and claim to be Christian. However, when we look into their lives, we find that they are really drawn to the world and also their children are unable to serve God with all their hearts and soul. Just look at the rich families of US and you get the drift.
The pioneers of the USA were faithful to God and God made them prosper. However, just like Israel in the Bible, they slowly walked away from God and now suffer much consequences from it. People may argue that not all the rich are like that, and I agree. However, those people are really the exceptions.
The pursue of the American dream is really like how the bible discribe the rich man storing his wealth and then think he can eat drink and be merry. However, it seem that the rest of the world is also warming up to the idea of the "American" dream..... may be just a different name for it..... like indian dream, Chinese dream blah blah blah. It is more or less the same- The pursue of wealth as an end or a means to live a high life.
So then, is it wrong for Christians to be wealthy or rich? If it is an end or a means to live a high life, then DEFINITELY YES. We are not called to live a high life here, nor to collect riches. The bible warned us of those. Then is it wrong to sit on a pile of cash or to invest? Again, it will depend on your motives. God said that we are stewards of what He has created. Therefore investing is one way to be a better steward. However, many has change investment as a way of owning business to a number machine that generate cash that is no different from the poker table or the roulette table in the casino. If you view it as that, then I think it is better that you don't invest.
I shall correct what I said above... Sitting on a pile of cash and not using it for God's kingdom is also wrong. Cos it is more or less just trying to get rich as an end.
Then what should Christian do to the cash that God has asked us to be stewards of? Investing is a good way. However, if God really bless your endevour, it is not for you to sit on it or spend it on yourselves to buy that LV bag that some of you may want or that BMW7 series, or that omega watch or whatever... Well, if you do buy that, then when it is time for you to fund some missionary or when the church needs it then you must be really be prepared to sell it. And in most cases, people are not willing to let go when the time comes. Therefore, for those who are not willing to let go, then it is better not to buy. Cos it will also mean that you see it as a treasure- A treasure on earth that you want to store up.
Then how? we cannot have any land of our own or house of our own? NO, i don't mean that. What I am saying is that you must be prepared to give it up when God ask us to. Well, Barnabas in Acts did just that. He probably have more than one land deeds or houses. For the love of his brother and sisters, he gave up his properties for God's kingdom. God gave bless him with wealth. He had the choice to choose what he wants to do with it. He chose to do what God commands. He is really an example for those who God has blessed materially.
God bless us so that we can bless others. Sadly, when we are blessed more and more, we become like the old Israelites. We forget God, or we ignore him. And God judgement will be on us.
Therefore, if we are gonna to invest, then we are to give more and more. If we cannot, then i think we shouldn't invest. It is best that you are accountable to those who are close to you so that they can remind you, cos it is very easy for our eyes to just turn elsewhere when we are so blessed.
God help us in our weakness
To God be the Glory
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