By Teino Evans, Staff Reporter 
IT HAS traditionally been believed that Christians should not enjoy the luxury and comfort of material possessions, whether it is a flashy car, big house or a well-paying job.
In fact, those Christians who have managed to obtain these and other material possessions are often looked upon in a different light, a rather 'worldly' light.
That, however, may be changing.
"Yea, why not? Christians are the children of God and He wants the best for us. However, we should do it in moderation so as not to get consumed in material things," says Alwyn Miller, who attends the Boulevard United Church.
According to Miller, we are all human beings and if we work to have the best things in life and live comfortably, then so be it.
NO YEARNING
Popular gospel deejay, Papa San, in
sharing his views on material possessions, said that Christians should not find themselves yearning for material possessions, as they would have already found a sense of peace and comfort just by having Jesus as their personal saviour and provider.
Furthermore, Papa San says whether as Christians or non-Christians, there is no sense in overdoing it. "Yuh can't drive two cars one time and yuh can't sleep in two beds at one time," he said.
In some churches, the doctrine is that if our faith is strong enough you can have anything you want from God. It is also taught that as children of the King of Kings, Christians should expect to be prosperous.
According to one pastor, who requested anonymity, there are many Christians today who tend to be attracted to the "prosperity gospel", where they (Christians) are "entitled to the earth and the fullness thereof".
Others, he said, will remain faithful to the traditional teachings of the Bible, which says, "if any man would be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."
Another pastor, who has ministered in several churches within the Corporate Area, has noticed a class difference.
Persons in depressed communities are more sincere in their worship and commitment to God, while for those persons living uptown who are much more comfortable materially, God is like an additive rather than a necessity. As such, they are less sincere. He has, therefore, found it more rewarding to minister in depressed communities.
This, however, may not be the case for all well-off Christians, as some have said that they were Christians long before meeting good fortune.
Whatever the belief or case may be, it will all boil down to what a particular church or person is indoctrinated to believe, or just simply what rests well with the soul.
