s5o8

I am trying to find a bible verse which condemns people who makes money out of god’s name… or profiteering through religion, something like that. I was told that there is such a verse or passage in the bible.

Any help will be appreciated.
I apologies if this is posted in the wrong forum…

Thanks

doubtingthomas

I'm not sure of the exact passage, but their is a story in the gospels where Jesus goes crazy on people who were using the temple as a place to sell their goods. That could, in my opinion, be interpreted to say God doesn't want people using his religion purely for profit.

However, Paul said something to the effect of, "The church should support the apostels."

So I think a reasonable doctrine on the issue would be that it is fine for sincere apostles, preachers etc. to earn money for their services, but that one should not merely use religion as a way to profit.

judge

1 Timothy 6:3-11 might be relevant.

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness

Darth Dane

Matt 5:38-42
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Luke 6:27-36
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful

GermanHeretic

Actaully, I like Acts chapter 5, where god kills two (non true- I guess) christians for not adding enough to the church's profit.

s5o8

Thanks all.... you've been a great help

s5

lpetrich

Yes, God and Peter were not only socialists, but also Stalinists. Ananias and Sapphira got zapped for being pesky kulaks who refused to collectivize their property as the Party had demanded.

Javaman

I've never understood how anyone can read that passage and not be repulsed. One might assume then that they were punished in the afterlife as well, huh? Paul wrote some pretty awful stuff on occasion.

Pheadrus

Are you talking about the one where it easier for a poor man to pass through the eye of a needle on a camels back than for a rich one to get into heaven.

LP675

I am not sure if you are intentionally attempting to deceive readers of this thread or if you simply don’t understand the text. According to Paul they were not killed for “not adding enough to the church's profit� but because they lied about how much they gave.

This is spurious nonsense as well. Ananias and Sapphira were not being compelled to “collectivize their property�. Selling land and giving the money to the church was something Act’s describes people in the church freely choosing to do. They were “zapped� because they attempted to deceive the community. They could have simply said “here is some of the proceeds of the sale of our land�. Paul makes as much clear saying:

Acts 5:4 “Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

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