The crux of the matter in regard to selling all we have; giving to the poor and following Christ is having our life be centered on Christ's mission and the Body of believers we found ourselves surrounded by. I have known brothers in the Lord who saw no need for Life Insurance (albeit by someone who used to work in that industry and no doubt was jaded); and others who would live uncomfortably cold in order to save money for their family upon their death. There is indeed an advantage to selling everything to keep us from focusing on any further earthly investments especially if they have no one else to take care of. For some that can mean downsizing; or perhaps keeping their home but opening it up for other believers to stay when travelling and selling any valuables rather than passing it down.
This presents the question of having any resources for future shortages; particularly food being saved; but perhaps some precious metal; etc. The most efficient means for the first is rotating and using up stuff that by the expiration date to avoid waste and giving it to those in need now. As far as gold and silver are concerned we need to consider the warnings of the last days in James and in Isaiah when it will tarnish and be cast away as worthless. What is most important is a heart issue here; and no doubt earthly treasures take up an inordinate amount of time and our affections can be turned away from the Lord; hence we certainly want to learn what Solomon did before learning the hard way not to accrue large amounts of wealth or put our faith in them having a certain future value.
The poor as Jesus said will always be with us; and there is no end to charities requests for funds. We need to be steadfast and unmovable keeping what we have committed to the Lord and entrusting anything we have left in His hands as it all is His and we can't take it with us when we leave this earth.
The crux of the matter in regard to selling all we have; giving to the poor and following Christ is having our life be centered on Christ's mission and the Body of believers we found ourselves surrounded by. I have known brothers in the Lord who saw no need for Life Insurance (albeit by someone who used to work in that industry and no doubt was jaded); and others who would live uncomfortably cold in order to save money for their family upon their death. There is indeed an advantage to selling everything to keep us from focusing on any further earthly investments especially if they have no one else to take care of. For some that can mean downsizing; or perhaps keeping their home but opening it up for other believers to stay when travelling and selling any valuables rather than passing it down.
This presents the question of having any resources for future shortages; particularly food being saved; but perhaps some precious metal; etc. The most efficient means for the first is rotating and using up stuff that by the expiration date to avoid waste and giving it to those in need now. As far as gold and silver are concerned we need to consider the warnings of the last days in James and in Isaiah when it will tarnish and be cast away as worthless. What is most important is a heart issue here; and no doubt earthly treasures take up an inordinate amount of time and our affections can be turned away from the Lord; hence we certainly want to learn what Solomon did before learning the hard way not to accrue large amounts of wealth or put our faith in them having a certain future value.
The poor as Jesus said will always be with us; and there is no end to charities requests for funds. We need to be steadfast and unmovable keeping what we have committed to the Lord and entrusting anything we have left in His hands as it all is His and we can't take it with us when we leave this earth.
Agape. RP
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