Blessed are you who are poor

[Sleeppy]

"Blessed are the poor" didn't quite hit the mark.

First, the title almost presumes the opposite, that the rich aren't blessed.

Second, half of your quotes are praising donations to the poor and the donators, not the poor themselves. If a person had no riches, then how could they donate funds to the poor?

I think "Blessed are the givers (or donators) " would be better.

God told Israel that there need be no poor among them. Deuteronomy 15:4.

He then gave commands to protect, clothe and feed them, (because He knew what people would do). All these are done to honor Him, and consequently many are accursed.

It is because the rich propagate individualism above collectivism, that the poor even exist.

 

[metis]

Define rich: having more than enough to live comfortably.
Poor: not having enough to live comfortably.

Do you really think the Bible is about that?

Yes, but only in part. Both the Tanakh and the NT make it clear that the poor must be helped, including how nations and people will be judged in regards to how they treat their poor. In Christianity, look at Matthew 25 (Parable of the Sheep & Goats) and the Sermon In the Mount, for just two examples.

 

[savagewind]

Yes, but only in part. Both the Tanakh and the NT make it clear that the poor must be helped, including how nations and people will be judged in regards to how they treat their poor. In Christianity, look at Matthew 25 (Parable of the Sheep & Goats) and the Sermon In the Mount, for just two examples.

Yes, but what about all the people (which is most) who aren't poor and aren't rich? What does God say about them? Most people have little, if anything, to share, but they are not poor. Does God expect them to become poor for the poor?

 

[metis]

Yes, but what about all the people (which is most) who aren't poor and aren't rich? What does God say about them? Most people have little is anything to share, but they are not poor. Does God expect them to become poor for the poor?

Do you remember the parable of the poor widow who "gave from her need"?

One is not expected to do what they can't do, but a person with strong moral convictions does what they can do, and money is not the only thing that one can contribute to.

 

[savagewind]

I believe the Bible is about being hungry for God's will be done. Poor people are hungry. Rich people, almost never (unless they are trying to be models).

 

[savagewind]

Do you remember the parable of the poor widow who "gave from her need"?

One is not expected to do what they can't do, but a person with strong moral convictions does what they can do, and money is not the only thing that one can contribute to.

The parable is not about money. It was about her wish to do the will of God the best that she could.

 

[savagewind]

The widow in the account was a beggar for God's Spirit. It is written that she gave more because she got more back for her love that she showed.

The Bible is about LOVE.

 

[savagewind]

To make God's will about money and then to serve your opinion of God's will be done is to serve the nations because THEY are about money.

 

[metis]

The parable is not about money. It was about her wish to do the will of God the best that she could.

... which involves helping the poor and downtrodden, and it did involve money if you reread it.

 

[savagewind]

... which involves helping the poor and downtrodden, and it did involve money if you reread it.

I took you for a smart person. 'Being about' and 'involving' are actually not the same. Yes, she put money in the box. It was about the love of God and NOT about the love of money.

 

[savagewind]

It is what poor people do. They give with the hope of getting back. If I give/do enough, God will love me better. Is it right? No, but it is the way poor people think. I think the Bible calls it beggarly.

Do you understand that RICH people do that too?

 

[Akivah]

God told Israel that there need be no poor among them. Deuteronomy 15:4.

Wrong. If you read that entire chapter, then you'll see that G-d gives us commandments to give to the needy, like D e u t 15:7-11.

 

[Akivah]

Yes, but what about all the people (which is most) who aren't poor and aren't rich? What does God say about them? Most people have little, if anything, to share, but they are not poor. Does God expect them to become poor for the poor?

The way I was taught, is that one's own needs come first. You aren't supposed to give more than you can afford. So becoming poor to give to the poor isn't supposed to be done.

Pushka boxes were once common in Jewish homes. Families would put a few coins per day into the box, whatever they could afford, to be given to the needy.

 

[metis]

I took you for a smart person. 'Being about' and 'involving' are actually not the same. Yes, she put money in the box. It was about the love of God and NOT about the love of money.

I would say it's more about the love of one's fellow humans that should also reflect love of God.

BTW, if you prefer to throw insults around, be my guest, but I have no interest in doing so or reading posts from those who do so. It's not exactly a "Christian" thing to do, right?

 

[savagewind]

I would say it's more about the love of one's fellow humans that should also reflect love of God.

BTW, if you prefer to throw insults around, be my guest, but I have no interest in doing so or reading posts from those who do so. It's not exactly a "Christian" thing to do, right?

I think it isn't a Christian thing to do that you would assume I have not read Mark 12:42 and Luke 21:2. I mean, look at the number of my posts and you don't care to know me?

 

[metis]

I think it isn't a Christian thing to do that you would assume I have not read Mark 12:42 and Luke 21:2. I mean, look at the number of my posts and you don't care to know me?

I never assumed as such.

No matter how one looks at it, there are mandates in Christianity and Judaism in regards to doing out best to help the poor and downtrodden, and I fail to see how that is controversial to anyone in these or most other faiths.

 

[savagewind]

I never assumed as such.

No matter how one looks at it, there are mandates in Christianity and Judaism in regards to doing out best to help the poor and downtrodden, and I fail to see how that is controversial to anyone in these or most other faiths.

You said, "reread it" like I don't remember it from the first time I read it, or the second......or the 40th and also have seen quite a few pictures of it!

I am present to talk about the bible and.....OMG......I don't even know it. What an idiot you think I must be!

 

[savagewind]

So....here we are in the same class.....

 

[metis]

You said, "reread it" like I don't remember it from the first time I read it, or the second......or the 40th and also have seen quite a few pictures of it!

I am present to talk about the bible and.....OMG......I don't even know it. What an idiot you think I must be!

No, I never said nor implied that. Typically, and this is one of those cases I believe, it boils down to differences in interpretation.

 

[savagewind]

Mark 12:42 and Luke 21:2 I think that it is obvious that it is not about giving to the poor because she was giving to The Temple......the place where God resides. She was giving all she had to the rich.

Not a wise thing to do. Or do you think it is wise to give your last penny away?

Job 41:11
"Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.

Psalm 50:12
"If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and all it contains.

Psalm 89:11
The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all it contains, You have founded them.