extra money stuff

Yeah, I found some Bible stories that are really relevant to the whole money thing.

This from Matthew chapter 25 verse 14.
(Its definitley worth reading)

14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents[1] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' 26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
(A talent is worth more than $1000)

So in response to David's comment of Bill Gates having given away half of his estate (being $40 billion), thats an awesome effort, and good on him. But from a Christian perspective, and through this Bible story (told by Jesus), a person who has the ability to do well in making money should give that 'talent' back to God.
So, if someone who follows Jesus' teachings only needs 1% of his earnings to surivive, then he should give away the other 99% to God (to charities, churches etc), because he has been given the ability to make money and therefore has the ability to 'help' God out in that way, more than someone else.And this person has a greater responsibility than someone who only is able to make another 50% above what he needs.

Also, its obviously not just the ability to make money that we should dedicate to God- it is everything. I mean, if we can make people happy by painting pretty pictures we should do it in dedication to God, and for those who are wise, to use this wisdom to bring knowledge to those who are poor in that area.

Luke chapter 12 verse 48:
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

And maybe we don't need to survive.......

Mark chapter 12 verse 41:
41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,[10] worth only a fraction of a penny.[11] 43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."

Please comment, even if you dissagree. Say what you think Christians should be doing as far as giving money away, and also what people who don't believe in God/a god/haven't made up their mind yet should be doing.