Comment: – The following verses are a ‘thorn in the side’ of most Christians.
The few verses on this page plainly and clearly show, without a doubt that a
person that is a follower of Jesus must give all possessions to the poor
— otherwise not a Christian. Jesus does NOT say to give to support missionaries
or to proselytizing missions, or to give to churches or church related institutions,
or to TV evangelists or other preachers, to Bible schools, etc.; only to give all to
the have-nots without conditions
There exist very few Christian groups that do provide the poor, without conditions, without fanfare, without proselytizing (but understandably do not give away all their possessions). You can’t help admiring and respecting this kind of person. Of course, there are also secular groups that provide for the poor without conditions.
If you are a Jesus worshipper and believe all that he said is truth, then according to
Luke 14:33 you must give away everything you own. Otherwise, you cannot be one
of Jesus’ disciple. How many so-called Christians actually follow Jesus all the way?
How many wealthy (and not so wealthy) so-called Christians really believe in
Jesus when they don’t give all their possessions to the poor, needy, street people,
welfare people, etc.?
The answer is that they are not true followers of Jesus — and we know what Jesus
says happens to them after death. My view is that Jesus overdoes it here (Of course I don’t consider Jesus divine).
Giving some of your possessions to the poor is laudable. Most so-called Christians
agree with me in practice, but do not agree with Jesus in practice.
(Does this mean that they also don’t really believe Jesus is divine?)
The big test of one who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ is:
Has he given all that he has to the poor?
Be very suspicious of his beliefs if he hasn’t. He may claim to be a follower
of Jesus, but in reality he is a follower of something else.
- Luke 11:41
- 41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
Luke 12:33
- 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luke 14:33 **
- 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all
that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. - (To be a Christian you must give away everything that you have)
- Matthew 5:40
- 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloke also.
Matthew 5:42 *
- 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow
of thee turn not thou away. - (Do not turn anyone away that takes away your things or wants to borrow from you)
- Matthew 6:19 – 21
- 19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. - (Do not accumulate wealth)
- Matthew 10:9
- 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10 Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. - (Do not provide for yourself material goods for a journey, or for doing
missionary work–TV evangelists?)
- Matthew 19:20 – 24
- 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.
Mark 10:20 – 23
- 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
(A believer must sell all he has and give to the poor)
- Mark 10:23-25
- 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How
hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches
to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 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. - (It is essentially impossible for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom)
- Luke 3:11 *
11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats,
let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
(Share your goods with people that have none)
- Luke 6:29 – 30*
- 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not [to take thy] coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh
away thy goods ask [them] not again. (Give to person that asks for something. If someone steals your goods, do not ask for them back) -
- Luke 18:21 – 25
- 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
(You must sell all that you have and give it to the poor people)
- Acts 2:44 *
- 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.(Share all things and give according to need — like ideal communism — a recommended life according to Paul)
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Naturalism and Religious Experience 