The Bible and material possessions.

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

As I know many of you are Christians and have studied the Bible, I have something that I've been struggling with. Jesus tells us not to love the world. I look at my material possessions and have to ask myself if I should have them. My gun collection (small by forum standards) is an example of this. Maybe I'm overthinking this; I just don't want to be on the wrong side of history, if you know what I mean.
Thoughts?

PS. I realize I'm probably asking a bunch of enablers. Oh well. I will consider the source. Just like to get your thoughts.

 

[Bob Wright]

So long as your gun collection, or any other material possession, is under your control, and does not control you, you are fine. It is when our obsession with material wealth controls us are we in danger. Abraham, one of the Bible greats, was a wealthy man. And whose wealth exceeded Solomon's?

When your tithe becomes gun money, or your mission giving goes towards a bass boat, you're starting to tread on dangerous ground. And, if during hunting season you'd opt to go into the woods rather than into God's house, better take stock of your wants.

Jesus Himself said, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's."

My penchant for Ruger Blackhawks has opened the door for me to share my testimony with y'all here on this forum.

Bob Wright

 

[dweis]

John in 2:15-17 asserts that we should not love anything that is worldly, that is, what does not come from God, the Father. The implication is that what flows from the Father is always good, and what comes from the World is often bad. Think of the 7 Deadly Sins as being the parameters of bad. To get a full grasp on John’s proclamation one has to look at he world in John’s time. People being mostly powerless got what despots, kings, conquerors, etc gave them. The powerful were mostly corrupt. Reading the Old Testament offers proof of that. You might consider that John was saying keep away from those things that flow from evil. Your gun collection is fine to have as long as it does not get used to do evil or become evil because it deprives others of their honest and real needs.

 

[WanderLust]

Scripture shows Jesus telling the rich young ruler to give up everything that he owned and to follow Jesus. It's interesting to see that he DIDN'T tell Mary and Martha to do the same thing! He saw the heart of the rich man and what kept him from serving God, the other people didn't have that problem.
Ask God to show you his plans for you, and he will. He knows your needs, and your heart, and what is best for you. And God wants to hear your voice asking for advice. Good to see you laying your heart out in the open like this.

 

[eveled]

Just the fact that you asked the question says a lot about you. I’d say your heart is in the right place.

 

[contender]

"Just the fact that you asked the question says a lot about you. I'd say your heart is in the right place."

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

 

[Mag-force]

Amen to that again Bob your right on.

 

[blume357]

I think we all have too much stuff, guns included, at least for me, and I guess it is one of my sins.... but as others have said (better than me) I think the key to what you ask is the word 'love'. We have to have possessions but they should not own us. I've actually started giving some of mine away... I have no desire or need to try and sell much of what I have but if I have something I really have no need for anymore and can find someone who does then I will gladly pass it on.... and this includes guns.

 

[KIR]

Giving up your possessions (one of many things) was made up by the religious leaders to control you. Vatican is the prime example.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Too many living in denial. I know and you know too, that we all have more than we need. I see some trying to "justify" having their possessions etc and using scripture to do it. LOL, really? Do you really think Jesus thought you should have more than you need, and do you really need all the firearms that you own. NO, you don't. How much good could you have done using the monies spent on more "things"(firearms) to help those less fortunate in the world. Would not have Jesus wanted you to do that? I can't wait to hear the excuses on this one. ( I am just as guilty) So, pls do not try and justify the accumulation of things, the excess that you have; you have it because YOU want it, period.(IMHO).

 

[ronto]

There is nothing wrong with having possessions as long as you don't love them more than you love God (1st Commandment). After all, "You can't take it with you".
Jesus taught that we should "love thy neighbor" which means you are charitable toward those less fortunate than you and are not greedy with your possessions. Give what your heart dictates.

 

[Dave P.]

I don't have any stuff that I love, have a bunch of things with sentimental type attachment to. Stuff that I've had forever or a story/event associated to it.
A few tools that belonged to my father and some old stuff I just like. Some mechanical things bring me pleasure to use or just look at, not much logic to any of it and I gave up wondering about it a long time ago. A lot of it would just be junk to others.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

There is nothing wrong with having possessions as long as you don't love them more than you love God (1st Commandment). After all, "You can't take it with you".
Jesus taught that we should "love thy neighbor" which means you are charitable toward those less fortunate than you and are not greedy with your possessions. Give what your heart dictates.

And if your heart dictates that you give very little?

 

[Snake Pleskin]

y

I don't have any stuff that I love, have a bunch of things with sentimental type attachment to. Stuff that I've had forever or a story/event associated to it.
A few tools that belonged to my father and some old stuff I just like. Some mechanical things bring me pleasure to use or just look at, not much logic to any of it and I gave up wondering about it a long time ago. A lot of it would just be junk to others.

Yes, I have my fathers ID bracelet and WIngs from WWIL. They would not mean much to anyone else, but mean the world to me.

 

[ronto]

And if your heart dictates that you give very little?

Jesus will be the judge of that on Judgment Day.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Jesus will be the judge of that on Judgment Day.

ouch! Kinda like rolling the dice on that one? You hope you have given the right amount etc but won't know until its too late?! I think I will try and err on the side of giving more! I need to work harder at that.

 

[ronto]

ouch! Kinda like rolling the dice on that one? You hope you have given the right amount etc but won't know until its too late?! I think I will try and err on the side of giving more! I need to work harder at that.

Excellent idea!

 

[graygun]

God knows everything;seek his wisdom regarding this. We all wonder about so many things.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

God knows everything;seek his wisdom regarding this. We all wonder about so many things.

Well, i seem to have a more difficult time hearing from him then some people seem too!

 

[bisleyfan41]

If your material possessions, like the gun collection, are harming or preventing you from doing what God has called you to do with what He's given you in your life, then yes. If not, then no. Only you can answer that.

I believe we'll have to answer 2 questions when it's time to give an account for our lives to God. What did you do with my Son? In other words, did you accept Him as your Lord and Savior and follow His teachings on how to live your life? Second, what did you do with the time, talent, and treasure I LOANED you while you lived?

Jesus never said money was evil, only the love of it. Money is just a tool. How you use the money you have indicates it's priority in your heart.

Sorry for the sermon

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Seems to me if you are able to tithe (10%) and still give to those in need, I don't know that cares if you have something that you enjoy and bought with the money he's entrusted to you. If you are in debt and want that stuff, I think it's a problem. The borrower is slave to the lender. I don't think he wants you enslaved by debt and still going out buying toys. JMHO

 

[Snake Pleskin]

If your material possessions, like the gun collection, are harming or preventing you from doing what God has called you to do with what He's given you in your life, then yes. If not, then no. Only you can answer that.

I believe we'll have to answer 2 questions when it's time to give an account for our lives to God. What did you do with my Son? In other words, did you accept Him as your Lord and Savior and follow His teachings on how to live your life? Second, what did you do with the time, talent, and treasure I LOANED you while you lived?

Jesus never said money was evil, only the love of it. Money is just a tool. How you use the money you have indicates it's priority in your heart.

Sorry for the sermon

First, if you answer Yes to number one, I find that hard to believe that you have never screwed up in life. On #2 I have never read or heard of Jesus ever thinking riches were good, the eye of the needle camel thing, and the fact that Jesus never sought any form of wealth etc and did not try and endear himself to the rich & powerful. threw out the money lenders etc and generally showed a fairly solid disdain for money & wealth (IMHO) but rathe sought out the down trodden & poor. Then gain , i am no expert on these matters.

 

[Colonialgirl]

Bob;
I just re-read your post and saw this : "if during hunting season you'd opt to go into the woods rather than into God's house, " and the thought occurred to me that; THE WOODS ARE MORE GOD'S HOUSE than some building with fancy seats, etc etc.
If I'm in the woods on a Sunday and I kneel to pray and ask forgiveness for any sins I may have committed and I HAVE a small communion wine and bread set (yes they do make them); How am I NOT taking stock of my "wants" ?

 

[KIR]

The Constitution was written incorrectly...it should have been "...freedom FROM religion...". There are a few politicians out there who want to start up a theocrary...only thing is, they want THEIR church to be the main one in the U.S. It would be like the Vatican with their religious leaders controlling all walks of life without any sayso by the general public. Beware of them!

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Yes, religion is great if you are religious, and having others constantly trying to shove it down your throat is not high on my list. if you believe , great. if you don't that is Ok too. That is America, freedom of choice!

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Just being there is enough in my opinion.

 

[Bob Wright]

ouch! Kinda like rolling the dice on that one? You hope you have given the right amount etc but won't know until its too late?! I think I will try and err on the side of giving more! I need to work harder at that.

The Lord Jesus made that very clear, in regards to the amount given, when he compared the widow's mite. As in most examples, it is not the amount, but rather the heart with which it is given.

Bob Wright

 

[ronto]

First, if you answer Yes to number one, I find that hard to believe that you have never screwed up in life. On #2 I have never read or heard of Jesus ever thinking riches were good, the eye of the needle camel thing, and the fact that Jesus never sought any form of wealth etc and did not try and endear himself to the rich & powerful. threw out the money lenders etc and generally showed a fairly solid disdain for money & wealth (IMHO) but rathe sought out the down trodden & poor. Then gain , i am no expert on these matters.

Read 1 Timothy 6: 17-19. God does not have distain for the rich. Only a warning not to become attached to worldly things.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Read 1 Timothy 6: 17-19. God does not have distain for the rich. Only a warning not to become attached to worldly things.

It seems to me the more you have the more likely it is you could get attached to it? IMHO

 

[Bob Wright]

Yes, religion is great if you are religious, and having others constantly trying to shove it down your throat is not high on my list. if you believe , great. if you don't that is Ok too. That is America, freedom of choice!

Snake Pleskin:

My belief is that there is a Hell of eternal fire, never ending. As a Christian, it is my duty to warn others of this. And that there is life eternal in a place called Heaven, where all old things are passed away, and a Day of eternal peace and rest.

Its sort of like passing a burning building and knowing there are occupants inside. I have an obligation to warn those people of the fire, and it is their choice either to leave or remain. Should they ignore my warning and perish, or escape, is their choice.

If eternity proves me wrong, I've lost nothing. If eternity proves the unbeliever wrong, he has lost everything.

Bob Wright

Bob Wright