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ruthiecrocker

- 3 years ago

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How attached are you to your money?

In my Christian tradition, there's a spiritual discipline called tithing. Some Christians totally go along with this idea, donating 10 percent of their money to their local church. (Others just try to live in the spirit of generosity) I think this is great, but then I read Jesus' words to some potential disciples who wanted to know how to find eternal life. There was this one really rich guy who wanted to get to heaven and Jesus told him to give away everything he had and then follow Him. The wealthy guy couldn't do it and he went away sad. Jesus didn't tell everyone to give away their worldly goods, but the ones he said it to were very attached to their wealth. I'm not overly rich, but comparatively speaking, I am. And it makes me wonder if I was living back in the 1st century and was asked to give it all up, what I would have answered. I can't fathom giving away everything. But there are people who do it. They sell their home, their car and say goodbye to their parents and friends. They willingly head off to countries untested to make sure children have clean water or to write about land seizures in Uganda. I'm pretty comfortable where I am, not sure I would be willing to give away all my money for any cause. How about you? Is there a cause or a charity or an idea you would be willing to trade everything for?

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I don't think I would give away all my money for God because I don't believe in that, but I have no desire to be rich. I keep as much money as I need to survive because unfortunately that is what makes the world go round. But if the opportunity came up to be able to live without using money in the country with just my family, I would totally do that.

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I think it was something for them to think about. Some did, some didn't. Abraham, Solomon, Job and others were quite financially blessed. In the Epistles Paul talks about the Spiritual gift of giving -- indicating that wealth does have it's purpose. Perhaps it's about what comes first and foremost -- what is our strongest attachment to? The early Christians were so into Christ to the exclusion of all else that one of the models mentioned in Acts was them selling everything and putting it in trust for those who had the need. And now modern Christians are sometimes seen quite full of themselves for the lesser portion they give up? Remember however that it's not money that is the root of all evil, but "the love of money". Having it is just, having it. It's when it starts to become more precious than those in need around us and then even more precious than God. Someone who was not in love with their money could just give it away when needs around them arose, confident that they would be provided for.

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not attached to money or wealth, attached to the opportunities with money as a means of initiative... travel, concerts, education, philanthropy and much more i don't like capitalism but i can't beat it join 'em for the time being.

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EEsh, am I the selfish one here? I think I can't take care of others until I can take care of myself..KWIM? I would totally be a burden if I didn't have enough money to pay for stuff. As for going off to "help the world"--I'm more comfortable helping those I can around me. Volunteering, donating, mentoring. I know I could never be a "Mother Theresa"--I think it's a rare bird that can be. They are truly the selfless out there. I'm just not made out of that cloth. I'd cry if I had to go somewhere and live with bugs. I'd be pretty useless. As for tithing, I think if you use a church facility regularly and can afford it, you should help pay for the upkeep. I don't go to church so I don't.

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Yup... love... gave up more than just money and belongings for it.

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I'm relatively young(19) so maybe I am somewhat greatly attached to my money in some form. All that probably has to do with the fact I had to start working at the require age to get a job(at Baskin Robbins) so I've always valued money because I worked for it. I'm not rich, but I'm not devastatingly poor either, for christ sake, I still live with my parents, and they pay my rent. I can be charitable, though, too, and sincere about it. During the holidays whenever I'm at a Barnes&Noble or Borders bookstore and the cashier asks me if I'd like to buy a book to donate to a child, I always say yes! I love doing that. Or whenever I'm at a Starbucks, Jamba Juice, or a place that appreciates tips, I always put $5 bucks into the tip jar WHEN I CAN. I don't know any major causes to give all my money away, though, but if I did, and I was in a good financial position to do so, I'm not sure I would give all of my money away either. As for an idea to trade everything for, it would probably be to make sure every underprivileged child would have a book to read, and if that child didn't know how to read, to make sure they were taught how to.

@ruthiecrocker Canada

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