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happydolphin on 26 July 2012
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bouzane said:
theprof00 said:

Well, for someone who doesn't go to church, you are certainly well versed. Not that I agree. I think you're picking and choosing some of these specific "prophets we're allowed ot listen to", but I'm not going to make a big deal of it.

You're allowed to think however you'd like to think.

I just think it's too complicated. All one needs is the ten commandments, imo.

 

Personally, I like how Christ narrowed it down to:

Matthew 19:1 -

 

"17-21 [...] but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

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,

Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

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."

 

The basics, if actually adhered to, would make for wonderful disciples. The last part kind of prevents wealthy business men and politicians (the same ones initially discussed) from actually being Christians ironically.

King David, who is in heaven, was a King, and as such not only ruled a nation, but was very wealthy.

Jesus wasn't condemning wealth in that challenge to the rich young ruler. Rather, he was testing his meekness, giving (generosity) and readiness to sacrifice all things for the sake of the gospel. How do we know that?

Well, did you know that Paul made tents to earn a living? He was a tradesman.

Jesus was a carpenter and lived in a home up until his ministry began, Nicodemus was a wealthy man, and so was Joseph of Arimathea (a disciple of Christ, the one who offered the tomb to bury Jesus). Cornelius was a centurion, and had a household.

Jesus does not condemn wealth and posession, he was simply challenging the man in his attachment to earthly posessions. Had the man passed the test, who know what Christ would have told him. "Go in peace, and give to the poor, but return to your house and be blessed", I don't know. Not all disciples were itinerants that much I know.

Remember, Jesus didn't say it was impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, but only that it was very difficult, as difficult as for a Camel to enter the eye of a needle (the narrow doorway into cities that required travelers to remove baggage attached to the camels to pass through).