Struggling re: successful people who couldn't care less

[lovinggrace]

I'm dealing with an inner conflict. I don't understand why there are so so many people who aren't Christians or believers really of any kind, some are downright atheists or complete deniers of God, doing all kinds of evil things in this world. Yet they are totally financially secure, with no financial worry in the world. When at the same time the only stumbling block some true believers deal with is lack of money that causes severe distress. I just don't understand.
Any advice or scriptures to help me come to peace with this fact in the world? I'm really struggling here.

 

[farout]

The old saying that all we have to do is look about and see how others really are suffering. If all we have in this world is financial problems we are blessed. Jesus never said we whold not suffer, in fact in Romans 8:28-29 we are told that we will become more like Jesus as we suffer.

No matter what we suffer there seems to always someone who has it much deeper or hurting more. If we have shelter of anykind, if we have a meal a day, if we make more than $365. a year than we are richer than 75% of the world. Most of us have some form of transpertation, most of the world has no hope of owning a vehicle.

The devil does protect his own, and the devils aim is to discourage and side tract you. Romans 1 tells us to be thankful, as those who forget to be thankful are on a downward slope. This life will soon be past, and what we suffer will not be forgotton.

A deeper concern is does your church know of your need? Do you have parents still alive? Can you share your needs with anyone? I remind you the person that loves you and knows your need is Jesus. The bible says we do not have because we don't ask, have you asked Abba? Ask Jesus to put you in the direct will of the Lord, and with being in His direct will we can be satisfied.

Thank you for sharing your post and prayer is our answer to everything. Blessings.

 

[Brother Mike]

The poor and rich.

Yet they are totally financially secure, with no financial worry in the world. When at the same time the only stumbling block some true believers deal with is lack of money that causes severe distress. I just don't understand.

I don't fully understand the issue, of the unsaved having money, as opposed to the unsaved not having money.

What is also considered "Secure" without God? The scripture says without God, you have no Hope in this World.

Concerning us though God did say some things.

Psa 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Pro 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Job 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.


I am not sure what rich, or being secure means. Just this month we have a little bit of money to pay bills, but we sowed it all to other people who needed their cars fixed, leaving us to just believe God to get the bills paid. To me, that is secure, because God certainly never fails. The amount of money I have does not determine my needs being met.

We are told to give, and it shall be given. Cast our bread upon many waters, it will return, Paul said concerning giving that it may abound to our account. The Lord will multiply your seed sown.

Certainly if we never plant anything, we can't expect anything to harvest.

Your issue is never lack of anything. The issue can never be money.

Numbers 13:16-33
When Moses told them to spy the land of Canaan so that God could give them the land, they came back saying we can't get the land, there are giants that live there. They said we look like grasshoppers in their eyes.......

Was the problem really the giants? Or was it what they believed and confessed? Did they agree with God, or not agree with God?

If God said I will supply all of your needs, give you the desire of your heart, and make perfect those things that concern you.

If God did say that.

What do you constantly say?

Jesus Is Lord.
==============================================================
Farout:

The devil does protect his own, and the devils aim is to discourage and side tract you. Romans 1 tells us to be thankful, as those who forget to be thankful are on a downward slope. This life will soon be past, and what we suffer will not be forgotton.

Would you please provide the scripture where it says the devil protects anyone, let alone his so called "own" people.?
Thank you.

 

[David777]

Hello LovingGrace.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens:
They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.
And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a
single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry
about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26)

 

[Fragrant Grace]

I don't understand why there are so so many people who aren't Christians or believers really of any kind, some are downright atheists or complete deniers of God, doing all kinds of evil things in this world. Yet they are totally financially secure, with no financial worry in the world.

Sister lovinggrace....these non-believers have no security whatsoever if they do not have Christ. All the money in the world won't buy them eternal salvation...without Christ they have nothing. So perhaps turn your inner conflict to prayers for these poor lost souls.

Focus on the joy of our abundant riches in Christ Jesus

O the joy of having nothing and being nothing, seeing nothing but a living Christ in glory,
and being careful for nothing but His interests down here.
This is faith.
We care for nothing but His interest.
We should always say, .....Not I, not me, not my, not mine; but He, Him, His. He is the first and the last and everything in between.
Christ, only Christ (Darby)


Christ is All and in all
Colossians 3:11




Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
　
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24

 

[lovinggrace]

Yes I am in-line with the spirit!
When you don't have any food to eat sometimes you would understand the perspective I am taking here. I don't mean that I want a BMW. You're misunderstanding what I'm referring to. Literally basic needs are what I'm referring to in regards to financial struggle.
Some things remain a mystery, but I still have full faith my need would be met.

 

[Brother Mike]

Basic need.

lovinggrace

When you don't have any food to eat sometimes you would understand the perspective I am taking here. I don't mean that I want a BMW. You're misunderstanding what I'm referring to. Literally basic needs are what I'm referring to in regards to financial struggle.

Right, and what difference in what others have then? Nobody certainly owes us anything. Nobody is suppose to be our provider, but God.

I use to hint around to my grandmother about having a need to pay this or that, and my wife's parents she would just mention some things. They had money to help. They did help, but we never got ahead. I was looking to others as a source, and not God. I did not even realize I was doing this.

Jer 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

I had more faith in my grandma and my wife's parents to come through, than I did God. I put my family under the curse so to speak. We can't disobey the Word, and get great results.


The biggest breakthrough in our life after being behind in bills, eviction notices, power shut off notices, is to never mention to man, or women of even hint we have need. We started to go to God with it.

Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

We also stopped saying we don't have enough, we are always behind. I realized that I needed to start saying What God said. To be in disagreement with God, is not a prosperous position. Our mouths had to be in subjection to the Word.

Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Now, my wife and I can just sow our bill money, and not think a thing about it. We did this week in fact. God first, before anything.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If God is not first when we do get money, guess what is not added to us. Cloths, food and our basic needs.

All we every say is God shall supply our need......that is it. You will never hear me or my wife say we don't have enough, never. Agree with what God said.

Obedience.

Job 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

I have learned to not ignore what I believe God is directing me to do. Did God say be in Church? Well, we don't miss then. Did he ask that we spend time in prayer with him, is it on our heart to do so?

Do we go where we are told to go, move when we should move?

You can't struggle if you are in obedience and serving him. It's impossible. I have also learned this.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Sister lovinggrace

I am just trying to understand your post a little better.

Would your inner conflict be resolved if you had enough/plenty?

Bless you


Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation
Habakkuk 3:17-18

 

[Romans 8.28]

I'm dealing with an inner conflict. I don't understand why there are so so many people who aren't Christians or believers really of any kind, some are downright atheists or complete deniers of God, doing all kinds of evil things in this world. Yet they are totally financially secure, with no financial worry in the world. When at the same time the only stumbling block some true believers deal with is lack of money that causes severe distress. I just don't understand.
Any advice or scriptures to help me come to peace with this fact in the world? I'm really struggling here.

Dear sister in Christ, we are called to God's best, and as such He is working in us for good. Not all Christians are called to poverty, but want of riches and its benefits would deny many children of God real dependence upon God.

As one dear brother drew attention to in Romans 8:28: Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

In Acts 9:16 Jesus said this of Saul (The Apostle Paul) For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. In Romans 8:17 we're told that we can be "joint-heirs with Christ; IF so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." And in 2 Timothy 2:12 we read that "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him." This word suffering also has to do with enduring with Him.

If you read 3 John 1:2, Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Now these different scriptures seemingly come across as an oxymoron or conflicting, but they're not. I wrote a pamphlet on "Christian Sufferings," and an excerpt of it is as follows . . .

1 Tim 4:10. For, therefore, we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the savior of all men, specially of those that believe. Repeating (2 Cor 11:30) using the NIV > Paul says, if I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness - It seems the sufferings he endured were counted by him as prosperous to his soul and life. He considered himself to be prospering and healthy only in the context of how his life was prospering in things pertaining to winning Christ. Surely it has to be evident by now that Paul at this time did not possess material wealth or bodily health, which many preachers today profess will be the normal result of a life lived for Christ.

My thoughts.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

Yes I am in-line with the spirit!
When you don't have any food to eat sometimes you would understand the perspective I am taking here. I don't mean that I want a BMW. You're misunderstanding what I'm referring to. Literally basic needs are what I'm referring to in regards to financial struggle.
Some things remain a mystery, but I still have full faith my need would be met.

I have seen times in my life that I did everything wrong and got the right results and I have seen times that I did all the right things and got the wrong results.This leads me to believe that not everyone is qualified to be tested.Some of the things I am am dealing with now I know I could not have handled before I became a believer.

At first I felt it might have been better to stay ignorant than for God to show me how much I had matured in him.They say God will never put you through more than you can handle but what they may not have told you is that God has a much higher opinion of you than you do.

James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

All the scriptures given by others here are great to focus on and to speak into the air.There are so many variables in a persons life that no one can judge you or say you're not using the right formula.Sometimes the more you shine in a dark world the more you will attract bugs.

I pray that God will provide all your needs through his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

[ActionMike]

I find this question by lovinggrace to be one of the classic mysteries of life in this world. to paraphrase:

"Why are some of us born into a life of luxury given opportunities only dreamed of by royalty in times past and others suffer a misery that many of us cannot begin to fathom through no fault of their own?"

- and then you have every situation between both these extremes.

Its further complicated when we see those with every opportunity, talent and power not only to fail to act as good people but use their considerable wealth, skill and time to commit wicked act after wicked act with no conscience at all. Couple this with the fact that the Word of God is easily accessible to these people - at least physically. Jesus' commandments to "Love your God with all your Heart, Soul and Mind" and "Love your Neighbor as yourself" are as clear as day to you, but these people handle it with such wanton disregard its appalling.

For what its worth, my understanding is that God has made things exactly as they are because he knows what is necessary to teach each of our individual personalities. Some people need to be so entrenched in sin before they finally see.

Luke 6:42 - Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

These people you refer to have quite the log in their eye, yet they carry on living life the way they think it should be - just as the hypocrite above is trying to do what he thinks is right to his brother's eye without being able to see himself.

What does it take to remove that log? I believe God has predetermined the struggle you will be forced to endure for you to understand. It may not make sense or even seem fair, but nothing will be placed before you that he will not give you the strength to overcome. It sounds like you have already accepted this and have faith in asking for God's help. I think you have already answered your own question without even knowing it. :wink:

 

[Ignis_et_Lux]

You managed to articulate what I wanted to say much more eloquently than I could have!

 

[eddieb]

I'm dealing with an inner conflict. I don't understand why there are so so many people who aren't Christians or believers really of any kind, some are downright atheists or complete deniers of God, doing all kinds of evil things in this world. Yet they are totally financially secure, with no financial worry in the world. When at the same time the only stumbling block some true believers deal with is lack of money that causes severe distress. I just don't understand.
Any advice or scriptures to help me come to peace with this fact in the world? I'm really struggling here.

If we had everything we needed on earth we wouldnt have a need to depend on God and keep him first in our lives. being poor is actually an advantage. Luk_18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
it isnt easy to settle this in our heart sometimes. but once you do it makes things easier. it also makes it easier to look to the eternal and not the temporal.
God will take care of our needs. and knows about them before we even ask.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

I'm dealing with an inner conflict. I don't understand why there are so so many people who aren't Christians or believers really of any kind, some are downright atheists or complete deniers of God, doing all kinds of evil things in this world. Yet they are totally financially secure, with no financial worry in the world. When at the same time the only stumbling block some true believers deal with is lack of money that causes severe distress. I just don't understand.
Any advice or scriptures to help me come to peace with this fact in the world? I'm really struggling here.

The remedy to our envy of the prosperity of the ungodly, and the key to our prosperity is;


Psalm 37
A Psalm of David.

1 I do not fret because of evildoers,
I won’t be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

3 I trust in the LORD, and do good;
I dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 I delight myself also in the LORD,
And He shall give me the desires of my heart.

5 I commit my way to the LORD,
I trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth my righteousness as the light,
And my justice as the noonday.

7 I rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
I do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 I cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
I do not fret—it only causes harm.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But I who wait on the LORD,
I shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, I will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But I, the meek, shall inherit the earth,
And I shall delight myself in the abundance of peace.

12 The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn the sword
And have bent their bow,
To cast down the poor and needy,
To slay those who are of upright conduct.
15 Their sword shall enter their own heart,
And their bows shall be broken.

16 The little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked.

I often personalize scripture when I read it. I cut and paste into my word processor and do that, Try it for yourself

 

[El Hombre viejo]

If we had everything we needed on earth we wouldnt have a need to depend on God and keep him first in our lives. being poor is actually an advantage. Luk_18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
it isnt easy to settle this in our heart sometimes. but once you do it makes things easier. it also makes it easier to look to the eternal and not the temporal.
God will take care of our needs. and knows about them before we even ask.

Oh my!! That's not what the WORD says.

 

[eddieb]

Oh my!! That's not what the WORD says.

really? well you should provide scripture for your claim then. i believe thats even a forum rule.

 

[Fraction]

Life is what you make of it. You reap what you sow.

Two phrases so many people are familiar with, can describe a large amount of peoples lives in this world.

Two examples:

A person graduates high school, but doesn't bother to seek further education or skill training. This person will probably not have a decent and stable job or career. If they can get a stable job, then it's going to pay really awful compared to actual jobs and careers that need a graduates degree or extensive training. Being a single parent in this position is awful, and not easy at all.

A person graduates high school, but then goes on to get a graduates degree and training. This person becomes a surgeon, and has a job that is in demand, stable, pays extremely well, and has amazing benefits. Unless this person makes too many financial mistakes, they should never have a serious issue financially. You will be able to support a large family, own a home, own cars, and have money left over for things you probably don't even need

Notice how I haven't added anything yet that has anything to do with Christianity. Which means and is obvious that any person in the correct situation can do any of these things. A Christian, Atheist, or Islamic person can become a surgeon, or end up working minimum wage jobs their entire life. Faith is required for eternal life, but it is not required to be successful in this life. Which brings me to a point: It is possible to have security without Jesus, but without Jesus eternal security is out of reach. A common atheist will not care about eternal life, so that allows them to be happy. (This part was to answer someones saying "it is impossible to have security without Jesus)

Moving on.

Seeing from above, I make the argument that we pretty much control our own decisions and future. We can make choices in life that enables us to succeed. As you can see, we missed something. The people in this world (which includes Christians) that do NOT have these chances.

Two examples: (without factoring in stupid choices, no offense)

A person in the united states graduates high school. They have two working parents. The have obtained scholarships, financial aid, and qualify for college. They go to college happily with full support from family, friends, and even the federal government. This person can end up the surgeon we talked about earlier, or they could drop out and work for minimum wage forever because they are lazy.

A person in a foreign country or a third world country even, doesn't have access to education. No elementary, middle school, high school, or college. This person will probably die very young if they live in a modern day based area. (in other words I am not talking about tribes out in the middle of the rain forest)

Of course the situations aren't limited to ANY of these examples, because they are, well, just examples.

So far I have covered in a short explanation: We control our lives and our future, unless this right was never given to us or was taken away by force. The whole purpose of this isn't to answer your question directly, but to provide you with enough information to prove that it really doesn't matter our faith when it comes to being successful on earth. Then again, this also comes down to each and everyone's different personal standards.

It's not that simple of a question though. So far I haven't seen anyone respond with a straight answer. I haven't seen any scripture provided that answers your question either. I have seen plenty of "God will provide", "Satan protects his own", and things that just hint at you to not worry about it. However the real question remains:

Why does God allow those who could care less about him have no real serious issues, while there are those in the world that worship him suffering, starving, and dying?

In my personal opinion, this is a question only God can answer straight. However, I throw my hat into the pile with you on wondering why.

 

[David777]

Hello Fraction.

I was reading your post when I came across this line.

Why does God allow those who could care less about him have no real serious issues,

It is my firm opinion that every single person has very real issues to deal with,
none escape the consequences of life on this planet.

I will list the events that every single person faces, regardless of their viewpoint or belief.

1. Sickness
2. Death
3. Loss of loved ones
4. Problems with wife/husband
5. Problems with children
6. Concerns with relatives
7. Difficulties with finances, even the rich lose money
8. Political problems
9. Economic upheavals
10. Internal and external threats
11. People with opposing viewpoints to yours
12. Getting old, tiredness, exhaustion.
13. Making really stupid decisions
14. Not knowing the answer to some tough questions
15. Etc, etc, etc.

I have met many people with real problems, problems that I do not think I could cope with.
I am not aware of anyone that does not experience the trials of life.
It may in fact be much harder to cope with for the rich and famous.

 

[Fraction]

I was reading your post when I came across this line.

Why does God allow those who could care less about him have no real serious issues,

It is my firm opinion that every single person has very real issues to deal with,
none escape the consequences of life on this planet.

I will list the events that every single person faces, regardless of their viewpoint or belief.

1. Sickness
2. Death
3. Loss of loved ones
4. Problems with wife/husband
5. Problems with children
6. Concerns with relatives
7. Difficulties with finances, even the rich lose money
8. Political problems
9. Economic upheavals
10. Internal and external threats
11. People with opposing viewpoints to yours
12. Getting old, tiredness, exhaustion.
13. Making really stupid decisions
14. Not knowing the answer to some tough questions
15. Etc, etc, etc.

I have met many people with real problems, problems that I do not think I could cope with.
I am not aware of anyone that does not experience the trials of life.
It may in fact be much harder to cope with for the rich and famous.

Threads not about the suffering outside of financial issues or social status. Money obviously doesn't make you immune to sickness, getting old, and death.

So yeah, was talking about financial and social status issues.

 

[Truehearts]

Luke 18:25 (NIV)

"Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

This is about our attitude and desires, Jesus knows that we can easily be distracted with greed, afterall that is how Satan fall.

Think about having a million dollars, what will you do with it, how will you spend it, there are tons of possibilities a.k.a. distraction from the WORD.

But it doesnt mean that money is completely wrong, because this is how the world works, we need money to live.
Some people just don't use it right because they are blinded with greed. From a simple necessity it becomes a priority. Jesus is aware of this, of what money can do to people.

Successful people or well-off ones will really appear they care less, because life is easier for them and they are focus on earthly wealth.
Satan provides all this things to keep them away from seeking Jesus.
They can have materials things and luxuries, they can use it to make their health better, it becomes their savior and provider.
Thats how it goes wrong. And how they become "I dont care. I live anyway."

Yet not all of them, there are those who uses money to help others and there are those who genuinely knows how blessed they are. And these people God also uses to bless others.

I also dont think Christians are destined to be poor or unsuccessful, or we dont deserve to have money at all, but we are destined to know what is the most important. And Im sure (100%) that Jesus is right, it will be harder.

Easier for living with the world but harder for living a life beyond the world.