Is it bad if I put material things before God?

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Alex Beierle Profile
Alex Beierle , Devout Christian, answered

I'm not going to lie and say "It's okay" like everyone else.  Because it isn't okay. 

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1 Timothy 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who calls themself a Christian if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a person.

Luke 14:33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Anyone who calls them self a Christian shouldn't be concerned about material things.  Not even food, cloths, or water:

Matthew 6:31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

To sum it all up:  Yes, it's bad.  God said to love Him above everything else.  The Bible also says that anyone who loves their possessions CANNOT love God too (Matthew 6:24).  I can tell you aren't a really devoted Christian.  You probably just go to Church with your parents.  I would suggest buying and reading the Bible for yourself (I prefer NKJV.  It takes some getting used to, but is very good.  Absolutely avoid the MSG, voice, and NIV.  Those can hardly even be called Bibles anymore.)

Charles Davis Profile
Charles Davis answered

Well, if you listen to many of the TV preachers, if you give them $100, God will repay you 10 times back, so that's $1000. Nice deal isn't it? Maybe if you give your rent money to them, you'll get enough money to move into a mansion.

AnnNettie Paradise Profile

Notice Jesus' warning in Matthew 6:19. In this scripture Jesus helps us to fully appreciated how temporary and insecure any treasures  would be in this present system of things. (Matt. 6:19) Nor was this advice for rich persons only; poor people can be just as intent upon gaining and storing material wealth. People expose their true motives by what they make their objective in life, regardless of their financial standing. “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also,” said Jesus. (Matt. 6:21) 

If a person constantly reaches out to collect more and more material things, such as a bigger and better home, more money in the bank, a better job, regardless of the consequences, then he betrays himself as really wanting the things of the world. He proves by his works that his mind is primarily on the present system’s benefits. But how shortsighted this is, since “everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.” (1 John 2:16, 17) 

Therefore, if you love life, and want to keep living, do not become attached to any material thing.


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