The issue here isn't whether we should choose to be poor as Christians, but whether we are making choices in our every day live that allow us to give and help others. It isn't about being liberal or conservative, wealthy or poor, or any of those things. It is about choosing to use the resources God has given us to make the most positive impact we can on those around us. Is it in the best Kingdom interest for a small family to be driving a huge SUV and living in a 2000+ square foot house? Perhaps if you regularly bless others through those resources by sharing your extra space with someone who needs some help, a ride, etc. What I'm getting from the article is not that I need to be poor, but that I need to decide: Is this purchase, whatever it is, allowing me to make better use of my other resources so I can give more (money, time, energy, whatever) for the Kingdom, or is it merely a want, a way to support my need for stuff?

One thing that is missing in this article is the greater importance of sharing the gospel for it is only through the gospel that people become truely free from poverty and other problems. So many of the poor today are poor because of the evil found in their societies. Greed makes people rich and it makes people poor. That being said, the gospel comes with action and demonstration of love through giving, just as Jesus gave all that He had on the cross. We need to ask ourselves where does our treasure lie? What are the things that we treasure most? Do we love these people? Are we so self-centered that the gospel and the kingdom are lower than other things on our list of priorities? It is all about love because if we give all that we have to the poor but have not love ... what are we?

This Gods kitten is crazy. Only americans believe should be poor to be good Chrisitan. Orthodox church in Russia no believe this. Catholic church no believe this. This big LIE only in America.These crazy liberals are roadblock to Gods work.

Actually, last I checked, you could not serve God and riches; but maybe that's not so true anymore. Also, last I checked, the church didn't run on money, it was, rather, fueled by the Holy Spirit. If God wanted everybody to rich, wouldn't he have made everybody, especially his Son rich? I have no beef with a person who gives away 30%; in fact I find it admirable, but if it doesn't cost us anything, is it really a sacrifice? So keep SCREAMING in the rich wilderness, after all, Jesus died so we can be rich. Isn't that what Paul says?

As for the rich young ruler - the man was an idolater who worshiped money. That was his problem. We know this from the parts of the ten commandments the Lord Jesus left out when he was quoting them to the rich young ruler. God is consistant!!!! If God wanted ALL rich people to give up their wealth then he would have stated so - but he did not! Having money if fine as long as you don't worship it!!! Moreover, usually the Christians who have a problem with money are the ones who do not even tithe! Moreover, I know of a man who when he first became a Christian & was poor, decided he was going to give 30% of his income ( gross) to God in order to honor the creator who saved him. He did this when he had nothing. Today he is a multimillionaire who gives away 70% of his income each year to churches, missionaries, church projects, feeding the poor etc. So unless you are giving 30% of your gross income to God you have nothing to say to him about his riches. NOTHING!!