Someone said. "It is unbiblical to move because you want a better life for your family." This person did not say that it's wrong to take care of your family, but that you shouldn't move just because you want to make more money, buy a bigger house, or live in a nicer area/city. Luke 12:13-21, the Parable of the Rich Fool, was used as the supporting scripture reference. The thought was that if God placed you in a certain city, he has you there for a reason, and that is where he has called you to live and do his will. The only valid reason for moving is one that is ministry-focused (wanting to help build up a church, etc). I disagree. Please clarify.
I disagree, too, and have addressed this concern several times through the years. I am sure we both agree that moving to satiate our greed is evil, but how can anyone prove that each successive purchase must be of a cheaper item, or each successive home must be less nice than the one preceding it?
To make things worse, Acts 17:26 in the NIV is mistranslated (please search the website for what I've written about this unfortunate mistake).
Logically speaking, wherever you are is where God has allowed you to live, but not necessarily where you want to be. (Otherwise, every burglar has an excuse, doesn't he?--since the Lord "put" him in your house!) I am afraid that controlling leaders will resort to such logic to prevent people from leaving their congregations. Furthermore, if you did move--and God didn't prevent you from doing so--then this wrongheaded logic would then have to admit, The new city must be where God wanted you. But God is not so controlling as some human leaders. (See also the article Is God in Control?)
Let's avoid greed (Ephesians 5:3-7, Proverbs 30:7-9), while at the same time enjoying our Christian freedom: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).
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