The Bible Essay On Possession And Sharing Discussion
Evaluate the following assertion: “In the Bible the call to share possessions and the call to enjoy possessions are contradictory. One can either do one or the other, but not both.” In your evaluation comment on at least two texts from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. 4-5 paragraphs.
The assertion “In the Bible the call to share possessions and the call to enjoy possessions are contradictory. One can either do one or the other, but not both.” Is true. There are several passages from the Bible both in the Old Testament and New Testament that contradicts the aspect of sharing and enjoying possessions. The Bible Essay On Possession And Sharing Discussion
For instance, Proverbs 22: 9 says that “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor”. This encourages the people with treasures to share with the poor in order to get blessed. However, in Mathew 19: 21 the passage says, “Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” This is a contradicting statement compared to the one on proverbs because Jesus does not encourage people to own wealth. Rather, he encourages people or his followers to sell material possession and follow him in order to be blessed.
Additionally, the text from Hebrews 13: 16 says that “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Attempts to show that God is pleased by people who share with others. However, the messages from Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 turns out to be contradictory. The text says that “ I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: 2 God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.” the passage shows that though God may give someone wealth, He can also make them unable to enjoy this wealth. The passage also points out that such wealth will be enjoyed by strangers who never worked for the wealth.
The texts from the Old Testament and New Testament present evidence that indeed there is contradiction concerning the call to share possession and the call to enjoy the passion. One is only guaranteed one of them to both own the wealth and not enjoy it or to have the wealth and share it with the less fortunate. The passages make it difficult for one to have both The Bible Essay On Possession And Sharing Discussion.