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Sorry about the mistype in your username, Image123, it was quite unintentional.
The post in question was this one:

An interesting point, Image123.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_and_the_rich_young_man

Jesus and the rich young man (also called Jesus and the rich young ruler) is an episode in the life of Jesus in the New Testament.[1][2] It appears in the Gospel of Matthew 19:16–30, the Gospel of Mark 10:17–31 and the Gospel of Luke 18:18–30.

In the Gospel of Matthew, a rich young man asks Jesus what actions bring eternal life. First Jesus advises the man to obey the commandments. When the man responds that he already observes them, Jesus adds:

If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.[3]

The Gospel of Luke has a similar episode and states that:

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 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."[4]

The disciples then ask Jesus who then can be saved, and Jesus replies: "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

In any case, there is no talk of Jesus saying- give to the pastors of your church, is there.
In both Gospels, the advice is to give to the poor.

I've always wondered how those ostentatiously rich pastors cope with 'the eye of the needle' reference.

Later, you answer dare2think's point by writing

You insist that Jesus' emphasis is giving to the poor. I said Jesus sympathizes with the poor but that's not/never his emphasis.

.

It looks very much as though that's not the case, Image123, at least according to Matthew and Luke's account.
"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

PA1982
i already said that i'm not against the poor. It's good to give to the poor and the Bible says so. What i said is that it's not EMPHASISED. Emphasised, or emphasis has another meaning? Emphasis has to do with prominence, stress, attention. There's even more stuff for giving the poor in the old testament than in all the (what we call) teachings of Jesus.

The bible story I've quoted is told twice in the gospels and the versions are in agreement, something which can't be said of the last words Jesus spoke before dying.
So I'd say, yes, it's important.
Jesus himself says it is the first step, doesn't he.

So that makes it much more important than Paul's wheedling to get money out of his 'churches', doesn't it?

PA1982
There's nothing in the Bible that is unimportant. What i said is that it's not an emphasis.

Repeated twice in two different Gospels is not an emphasis?
Saying a rich should give to the poor before following him is not an emphasis?

Jesus says NOTHING about tithing. Or gives his approval of such a practise.
In fact, his reaction to the Temple money-changers rather gives an idea of what he thinks about charging for services rendered by religious figures.

It's Paul, who, of course never knew Jesus, who goes on about giving generously (to his church), isn't it?

^^^
Even Paul's teachings were on giving to the poor and were he preached to give to the church, such collections were meant to help the poor believers within the church.

Pastor Kun:

^^^
Even Paul's teachings were on giving to the poor and were he preached to give to the church, such collections were meant to help the poor believers within the church.

Part of Paul's preaching and admonition was to give to the poor (Acts 20:35) - but that is NOT all his preaching on giving was about. He also preached on giving to others for specific purposes that have nothing to do with the poor. Even Paul himself several times asked for contributions to support his ministry journeys:

[list][li]1 Cor. 16:6 - I’ll probably stay with you. I might even spend the winter. Then you can give me your support as I travel, wherever I decide to go.[/li][/list]
[list][li]Romans 15:24 - I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.[/li][/list]
[list][li]2 Cor. 1:16 - My plans had been to go from the city of Corinth to the province of Macedonia. Then from Macedonia I had planned to return to you again in Corinth and have you support my trip to Judea.[/li][/list]

He also preached that giving should go to support those who preached the Gospel as well as those who teach in the Church:

[list][li]Galatians 6:6 - Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.[/li][/list]
[list][li]1 Corinthians 9:14 - In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.[/li][/list]
[list][li]1 Timothy 5:17 - Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.[/li][/list]

There is giving to help the poor; but that is NOT all that the Bible teaches about giving - there is a need to see the other aspects of giving. Half truths are dangerous to spiritual health.

@wordtalk
Whilst I agree with you that Paul preached on various types of giving, I was just trying to correct PA1982's claims that paul's teachings on giving was only to support his ministry.

Psalms 112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Acts 20:35
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

If you're not giving, you're not living. How you go about the giving though, is also very important.

Pastor Kun:

@wordtalk
Whilst I agree with you that Paul preached on various types of giving, I was just trying to correct PA1982's claims that paul's teachings on giving was only to support his ministry.

That's okay. I should have been more patient to read the connection more carefully before commenting. Thanks for pointing that out.

I was just trying to correct PA1982's claims that paul's teachings on giving was only to support his ministry.

The poster has put words in my mouth.
Read my post again.

I notice my point wasn't addressed, either.