Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
To me these verses have nothing to do with austerity. To me they are saying that a worker should expect the Lord to provide his needs as he ministers, through the people he ministers to... Some people believe the prosperity gospel, some the austerity gospel.
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Yes, no doubt some are reacting to the Lord's word that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom. I think the relevant verses would be as follows:
Bondage and Pollution of the World
2 Pet 2:18-20 More
2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
Within the world what brings more people into bondage and is more polluting than idolatry? The chief idols of the world are molten images and graven images – money. But of course, one reason people pay great sums of money for “art” is that they trust the art will also act like money, except that it gains “value” with time.
Excess
1Pet 4:4 -- Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
1Pet 4:8 -- And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Matt 23:25 -- Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
The word “excess” particularly the phrase “excess of riot” refers to a lack of restraint.
Ravening
Luke 11:39 -- 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
Ravening is “to devour greedily”.
Greediness, covetousness, and deceit
Eph 4:19 -- 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Mark 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
1Thess 2:5 -- For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
(a cloak of covetousness can refer to soliciting donations to a ministry under the pretext of “sowing to the kingdom” or of being one with God’s unique ministry. In the NT we see that some contributed to the Lord’s ministry, but we never see anyone solicit donations. It is true that Paul asked for money to be laid up, but that was not a “donation to his ministry”, rather it was to be carried to Jerusalem to help the saints who were in financial hardship. I think that most of us would agree that giving money to LSM so that they can fund lawsuits against other Christians under the covering of “sowing to the kingdom” is a cloak of covetousness).