Posted on 12/28/2007 7:37:39 AM PST by NYer
Dollar and Long were correct in their response to Senator Grassley. The IRS has the oversite of non-profits, not the Senate.
And you are free to do so - but it is NOT Christianity, nor is the 'Gospel of Wealth'.
I posted several quotes earlier from the Bible supporting the idea that we are to be prosperous.
I skimmed the last 180 posts or so. You quoted “I come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” and “Seek first the Kingdom and all things shall be added unto you.”
Neither in any way justifies thinking God will make us wealthy if we follow him. Will we be be blessed, and have an abundant life? Yes. Get lots of money? No. There is no scriptural warrant for suggesting ‘an abundant life’ means ‘a wealthy life’ - quite the contrary.
The second quote is actually “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” It follows a section talking about our daily NEEDS. If you seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, God will see to your daily needs for food and clothing. That is a far cry from ‘God will make you wealthy’.
As I’ve pointed out before, if God rewards the faithful with material wealth, then the disciples must have been very unfaithful! And Hebrews 11 makes it clear that we are not citizens of this world, and not to live attached to it - our faith may well lead us to poverty or death by torture - but we win greater ‘riches’ in our true home.
Nothing could be more false than claiming the scripture teaches material wealth follows faith - or is even an acceptable goal for a Christian.
If acquiring material wealth is important to you, you are not a Christian. You serve the wrong master, and live in the wrong world!
How do you know we don’t release them automatically? How do you know what happens when we die?
Some people do release their earthly desires when they die, and some don't. I know this from 44 years of communication with people who have died. You may take my word for that, or not, as you please.
OK
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