Oh Lord won't you but me a Mercedes Benz?

Question

When did Christians conveniently decide to ignore their sworn leader's advice to give up all their worldly possessions, reject materialism, and help the poor?

Seems like a lot of people are going to church in big SUV's.

Answer 1

I do believe that is suppose to be Buy me ...........  Janis Rocks!!!!

I must make amends

Answer 2

I'm sure you will get a ton of answers that say "I always help the poor" and "my church always gives."  

It's sad but many people don't know what it's like to live without and until they do they will not know how wonderful it is to help and be helped.  

Answer 3

Well, Saint Francis, and modern followers of his way of life reject materialism and vow to live their lives among the poor, so there are some people who live that message.

I am a panenthiestic polytheist, but I appreciate the teachings of Jesus, called Christus. I believe you are referring to Matthew 19:21 which reads, "Jesus said to him, 'If you have a desire to be complete, go, get money for all your property, and give it to the poor, and you will have wealth in heaven: and come after me'."

Please don't forget for many people, their religion is external and superficial - just like the rest of their life. "Christian" is the most popular brand or team or whatever they think, so they are that.  They don't really think about it or even really "believe" in it, they just do it cause its "the thing to do"...  most of the country is christian so its easy to seem Christian.

Answer 4

I heard that if you leave a statue of St. Joseph in a car, you will get a better price.

Answer 5

Maybe they are more bullet proof or something.

Answer 6

Jesus never told us to give up all our worldly possessions.  Got a scripture to back up your claim?

We go to church in a 5-year old van that we bought used.  Got any more judging accusations?

Answer 7

Any leader who would tell you to give up your possessions is not using the Bible for his or her answer.  

God gives us what we have when we need it and to remove it from us would be to remove the blessing of God.

Driving an SUV is not wrong, however giving up what God has blessed you with might just be.  

Also, we should always help the poor and missionaries.  That way, God will bless us abundantly!

Answer 8

My friends all drive Porches, i must make amends!!!

Answer 9

When our society made it sound like mere physical possessions would somehow make you happier.

Too many "Christians" don't do what Jesus said at all.  They just do the Sunday morning song-and-dance to make themselves look holy, then behave like the very people they take pride in condemning.  They don't really believe a single word of it.  They only pay lip service to the Christian God because it will make them popular.  Even one "Christian" like that is far too many.

Answer 10

Good point.  I've noticed that many people pick and choose the parts of the Bible they like and ignore the rest.  

Answer 11

yes and no. if i remember christ himself wore shoes and a cloak. he did not give up "everything" He kept what was needed. He gave up all excess. He probably wore good sandals as he had to walk a long way. Is then hard to accept someone who follows him can not have a home, or a mode of transportation? christ had followers. but many of those who followed him lived at home, they had jobs. They lived life. Its no different today.

however i will give it too you that sometimes some people who call themselves christian do not give to poor, are very materialistic etc. However it is not fair to label a bunch off a few. there are plenty of those that donate high portions of thier income to chairity, that gave up things to go work in the fields of africa etc.