To be a true Christian, do you have to give everything?

In the first century C.E., for instance, wealthy Christians were associated with the congregation at Ephesus. The apostle Paul did not instruct Timothy to advise these rich brothers specifically to divest themselves of all material things, but he wrote: “Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things not to be high-minded, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment; to work at good, to be rich in fine works, to be liberal, ready to share, safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, in order that they may get a firm hold on the real life.” (1Ti 6:17-19) Thus these wealthy Christians had to watch their attitude, keeping riches in their proper place and using them generously to aid others.

Of course you can be wealthy and be a true born-again Christian. Everybody can do something for God. Not everything entails money and we are meant to use what God has given to us for His work. This might be a passion for looking after abandoned children, a desire to help with clerical matters in church etc. Some are born into wealth, some earn their wealth, some inherit wealth. Wealthy people will be able to help God's work in totally different ways from those without wealth but we are each given talents of one kind or another. If we give away all that we have then we no longer have it to help others.

If I had a million pounds and used just the interest (which would be a good amount even these days) to help less fortunate people then I would still have the one million untouched to continue earning interest, with which I could help another group of people. If I used the whole million the moment that I got it, no matter how many I helped with that million it would then be gone and I'd be able to help no-one else.

God gives wealth to some Christians and trusts them to handle it wisely for Him. Whatever He has given us we should use it wisely and not be selfish.

Leonard, that verse does not refer to people with wealth who are already Christians, it refers to people with wealth finding it hard to accept Christ because the wealth gets in the way. Also it does not say it is 'impossible' for a wealthy man to enter heaven. It is making the point that it is harder.

The camel COULD get through the 'eye of the needle' (the name of the gate to the city) but it had to bend the knee to do so.

To be a good Nazarene one has to walk the foot steps and thus words of jesus. They have to obey the greatest commandment, and the first commandment, and all the commandments, not remove one "jot" or "tittle" (matthew 5:17-20). Jesus wasn't given any wealth, but of the wealth that the god gave him of knowledge and scripture and miracles. He gave them to the people. And the become came to him and ate of the bread he was selling. Though he had competition from pharisees and even Herod (mafia don), and regulatory governance bodies (romans). He did tell his people that one must rent unto Cesar what is Cesar's.

When they gain wealth, they must not hoard it. They must use it and give it around.

They must put it to business that helps people get out of poverty and inactivity.

But Jesus said that he had many things to say but could not, not until someone would come John 16:12-15

Passion of the comforter, the spirit of truth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XEm2WnZR6g

Yes you can be a true christian if you have wealth. It is how you live and share that wealth that counts. I don't mean to give it all away but be generous with your money and time. There are people who need you time and not your money. People who don't have family to visit them or shut-ins that are unable to get out to the store or just out into the bright sunshine. Be generous with yourself and all will work out in the end. God bless you.

if god was given a million pounds he would say "i wish adam and eve didnt bring sin in the world" , to start with nothing was like it is now , it was , and will be again , perfect , money is part of the curse of the world , however , tithe - which can be 10% is what moses promised to god , the girl with the two copper coins , and the rich man who was told to sell everything and follow me (jesus) .. who knows what the context is , or what it is intended to mean , but giving to those who dont have ,is what god would love , money wasnt the original plan , love is what god is about , tithe and giving is up to you , but 10% is what is given as a guidline in the bible , it is like the 144000 who are given as firstfruits in revelation , as the offering to god in the second coming

Just your heart and soul,

Can you still be a true christian if you have wealth?

Matthew 19:23-26 (King James Version)

23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24And 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

25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Apparently, the only thing you need in life is a sword.

"Then said he to them, But now, he that has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his money: and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

Otherwise he was pretty clear

"I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

So yeah, prosperity gospel is an oxymoron.

Much of the fun of having wealth is being able to give a lot in order to be a blessing to others.

Yes you do. You can't be wealthy and be a good Christian. Jesus never said you definitely couldn't get into Heaven if you are rich, but he did say it would be really really really really hard/next to impossible. (Unless you think getting a camel through the eye of a needle isn't that hard).

You can have wealth to be a christian, but the ccc says you have to give 10 percent away to a worthy charity, such as CAFOD or the SVP, as a sign of your faith in God.