Didn't you know JC drives a merc.

Why be surprised that those selling lies are liars.

Hey DB wouldn't be sneeking on under a different name would he?

Before anyone points out the obvious error here's the real quote...

"Verily, I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. . . . 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."

Would a gospel enterpreneur tell you "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." ?

or even,

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matt. 6:24)

The bible's full of this stuff.

"Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (Luke 12:15)

Gospel entrepreneurs are merely shysters borrowing legitimacy from the church. "Donate today and your generosity will be rewarded ten-fold" is how the money gets generated. The beauty of it is, a fool and his money may be easily parted but his faith remains stronger than ever.

you sound like a sunday school renegade, benny.
you know the verses, and have become cynical.

but then, ... what about justification by grace alone, through faith?
and not by having money, or having none?

...that's a good one to read up on!

but then I overlooked the one about casting pearls before swine...

Well well well,

It was just written in the bible (as interpreted by me) that the masses should be poor rather than wealthy, that followers should not be encouraged to be wealthy.

Cant you all see,?

When this was written it was definately intended as a means to keep the ruling class ruling, and stop the followers aspirations for wealth on a moral level, as it was dangerous in those days for the ruling class if the masses want a share of wealth, in those days conflict was one of the few ways to acquire it.

Did god say this, or did someone 'human' make it up?

I beliieve in creation, but dont believe what was written by another man, his opinions are his own and in a different time.

It is funny how those blinded by belief pull parts out of the bible and Kuran etc and take some literally, ignore some, etc etc. It is false or it is truth, there cant be a middle.

The daggers will come out now, but wanting to make a better life for your family is not a sin. The sin is not making a better life for your family.

The most interesting posts on this thread have been from the resident christians on this forum. It amazes me at their in depth explanations for the number of preachers and religious groups that constantly fleece their congregations for their own greed. Yet those same congregations still flock to them in droves. I wonder how they explain that enslaved sheep attitude.

But then it is almost impossible for the deluded to see reality, so they flock to these despots with their wallets wide open, saying save me, how much will it cost. They should be made to give a money back guarantee or face charges of fraud, as we unbelievers would be if we asked people for money to support an illusional cure for your mind and body, that never come true.

The sadness of the one who was just hanged by a religious country this morning, who was baptised into the Christian church recently, certainly got all the help god gives it followers. I wonder if what it cost him was worth the effort of baptism. Why haven't hillsong, or its equivalent in other states put up their money to help. The silence from the evangelistic rich churches has been deafening, just like their posts here.

Realist
"It was just written in the bible (as interpreted by me) that the masses should be poor rather than wealthy, that followers should not be encouraged to be wealthy."

I completely disagree with your interpretation. In fact, what Alan Matheson was discussing is a wave of thinking going around christian circles called 'prosperity doctrine' which says:
- God blesses those who he loves
- Therefore, if your a christian, you should have more money than everyone else

Now to me that is completely and utterly ridiculous as well. But I'm just outlining it to demonstrate the two extremes that people can go to when they are reading and attempting to understand what is being said.

To me, the bible has never said to stay poor. What all those verses are trying to convey is that having lots of money is okay, as long as your priorities are right. The Bible heavily emphasises the importance of relationships and spirituality in our lives. If you fully read the verse quoted:

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

It says to lay up treasures that don't decay over time. In other words, its trying to explain to the reader how money in the scheme of things isn't as important as we think it is. Worry more about the relationships you build with your family, friends, God etc. Because these are the things that lead on into eternity (if you believe in eternity).

I think everyone would agree with those teachings to some extent. In Australia we have always believed strongly in mateship and our families, and I think thats why there has been such an uproar about these new Industrial Relational Laws.

It is really important to have a balanced reading of the chapters surrounded a verse, otherwise it is possible to peddle any sort of ideology. We must also understand that certain passages balance each other out.