A few weeks ago I wrote a column about small towns and not gossiping. This led to a conversation with my wife about children and tattling. We do not want our children to be know as tattletales, but we do want them to report evil behavior. Many of the “bad guys” also realize children do not want to be know as tattle tales and they use that to their advantage, thus they are often able to convince children to cover up evil deeds that are done to them. Some of the most evil among them even try to convince the children that it was their fault that the sin occurred.
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Let us consider some scriptural passages as we try to sort out the difference between a child’s selfish complaints (what most people think of when they hear the term “tattletale”) and real sinful or dangerous situations that we must encourage our children to tell us about. I Timothy 5:13 says, “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” Look at the context of these tattlers. They are running around as busybodies telling others about things that are nobodies business. This is a far cry from a child telling his parents about a dangerous situation.
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For example, a few weeks ago I had just finished putting some shingles on a roof and had set my air nailer down as I picked up other tools. It was a careless move on my part because my 4 year old had been watching me use that tool and decided to pick it up. It was a valuable lesson for me as a father to be more careful with my tools, but it was also an opportunity to warn him about how dangerous this tool is.
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I hope he really does understand how dangerous that tool is and that if one of his brothers ever finds it in the garage and tries to play with it that he will tell us right away so that we could stop someone from getting hurt. This would not be a gossip issue, it would be a safety issue. I would not scold him for tattling at a time like that.
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What if a pedophile did something to one of our children. I would definitely want them to share that information as well. Children need to understand that if they tell someone that they will not be scolded for tattling. This brings to mind Luke 17:1-2, “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
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I hate to even think that anyone would put such a stumbling block in front of a child, yet we live in such a sin cursed world that even authority figures like coaches, teachers, pastors, and priests have done such deeds. I cannot help but think of the words of the Apostle Paul, “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” (I Timothy 5:20)
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It grieves my heart to hear of the cover up at Penn. State, but let us be careful that we not train our own children to cover up evil and dangerous behavior because they are afraid of being called tattletales.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Do Not Oppress the Poor
There is an old saying that advises not to discuss religion or politics, yet here I am writing articles that always have some sort of religious message in them. Often within a religious discussion, politics also come up. “Social issues” are obviously part of politics, but even economic issues have a religious component to them.
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Though liberals and conservative Christians differ strongly on political issues, they share a common concern for the poor, or at least they say they do. The difference however comes in their approach about how to best help the poor. The scriptures speak extensively on these matters.
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For example, Proverbs 22:16 says, “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” A liberal might look at that verse and think that the whole capitalist system is out to give to the rich and oppress the poor. The conservative may look at the same verse and wonder why liberals would want to take property tax money from poor homeowners to give to teachers who are making an upper middle class living.
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Part of the problem in the whole debate is man’s preoccupation with riches. Some are preoccupied with getting others riches through stealing, begging, or legislating. Others are preoccupied with earning their riches through hard work. The scripture makes it clear that there are more important things than riches. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1) Those who steal or oppress the poor for riches have given up their good name.
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In our country there are many people who live below the poverty level yet still have extra food, sufficient shelter, and a lot of clothes. There are others who have almost nothing. If a healthy young man is collecting welfare, driving a nice car and talking on his I-phone, isn’t he oppressing the poor little old widow who is too weak and elderly to work and who may have to sell her tiny house because the property taxes are too high? Isn’t the government thus oppressing the poor to give to the rich?
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The scripture is clear that we should help the poor. “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” (Proverbs 19:17) “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:13)
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The problem is that many who claim to be poor really are not. They just do not have enough cash flow to satisfy all their pleasures and they are envious of those who do. Proverbs 21:17 warns, “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” If you think you have the right to get a free handout so you can take a vacation to Disney World or go out drinking, don’t be surprised if you really do end up poor.
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Further, if you are too lazy to work, don’t blame someone else for your poverty. “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” (Proverbs 19:15) “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” (Proverbs 20:4) “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.” (Proverbs 20:13) “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” (Proverbs 21:25)
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Instead of envying the rich and suppressing the poor, we as Christians should make sure we are not lazy and we should work hard, NOT so that we can buy whatever we want, but so we can have some extra to help others. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28).
-
Though liberals and conservative Christians differ strongly on political issues, they share a common concern for the poor, or at least they say they do. The difference however comes in their approach about how to best help the poor. The scriptures speak extensively on these matters.
-
For example, Proverbs 22:16 says, “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” A liberal might look at that verse and think that the whole capitalist system is out to give to the rich and oppress the poor. The conservative may look at the same verse and wonder why liberals would want to take property tax money from poor homeowners to give to teachers who are making an upper middle class living.
-
Part of the problem in the whole debate is man’s preoccupation with riches. Some are preoccupied with getting others riches through stealing, begging, or legislating. Others are preoccupied with earning their riches through hard work. The scripture makes it clear that there are more important things than riches. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1) Those who steal or oppress the poor for riches have given up their good name.
-
In our country there are many people who live below the poverty level yet still have extra food, sufficient shelter, and a lot of clothes. There are others who have almost nothing. If a healthy young man is collecting welfare, driving a nice car and talking on his I-phone, isn’t he oppressing the poor little old widow who is too weak and elderly to work and who may have to sell her tiny house because the property taxes are too high? Isn’t the government thus oppressing the poor to give to the rich?
-
The scripture is clear that we should help the poor. “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” (Proverbs 19:17) “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:13)
-
The problem is that many who claim to be poor really are not. They just do not have enough cash flow to satisfy all their pleasures and they are envious of those who do. Proverbs 21:17 warns, “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” If you think you have the right to get a free handout so you can take a vacation to Disney World or go out drinking, don’t be surprised if you really do end up poor.
-
Further, if you are too lazy to work, don’t blame someone else for your poverty. “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” (Proverbs 19:15) “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” (Proverbs 20:4) “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.” (Proverbs 20:13) “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” (Proverbs 21:25)
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Instead of envying the rich and suppressing the poor, we as Christians should make sure we are not lazy and we should work hard, NOT so that we can buy whatever we want, but so we can have some extra to help others. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28).
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