We have been trying to teach our little boys to share. This can be a difficult concept. We want to teach them that they must share their toys with each other, but we also want to make sure that one of them does not use the idea of sharing as an excuse to demand that his brother give up the toy that he wants.
-
Unfortunately even adults struggle with this concept. As Christians we are to share with those who are less fortunate than we are, yet we must also point out that it is not right to demand that others share their possessions simply because we want them. Consider the tenth commandment: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.” (Exodus 20:17)
-
Rather than teaching our boys that they have to give up a toy anytime anyone asks for it, we are trying to teach them the concept of charity and showing love for each other. One of those ways has been to encourage them to find another toy to trade with their brother so that they can get the toy they want. As we have implemented this concept we have also had to tell the bigger boys that they are not allowed to force the little ones to trade if they do not want to nor should all the little ones gang up on the big one to take away his toy.
-
What about adults? Do they have the right to demand that others share their “toys“? There is a huge difference between charity and forced compliance. Charity is giving out of love. That is what I hope to teach my children as I encourage them to share. Forced demands, however, get results based on strength rather than love. Compliance is simply the result of a threat. For example if someone threatens you with a weapon and asks for all the “toys” in your wallet, you do not give them the wallet out of charity but because of force. Another command clearly deals with that. “Thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus 20:15)
-
This actually brings us to an important question: can forced charity really be called charity? The reason that I am asking this question is because if someone is giving out of compulsion rather than out of love- though the giving may actually be benefiting someone else- it is not actually real charity.
-
I can condition my children to respond in a certain manner, but as I teach them to share, I want them to learn the concept of love so that even if they want to play with a toy, they would love their brother enough to let him play with it as well. I also hope that they carry those concepts into adulthood so that they are willing to share with those in need, but also not so selfish as to demand that others share with them.
-
Galatians 5:14 says, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Loving neighbors will not demand that others share their excess, but loving neighbors will also help those who really are in need. A Biblical concept of love should help us to share without being greedy.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Why do Bad Things Happen?
Why does God allow disease? Why are people killed by hurricanes? Why did so many people lose their homes to forest fires? Why do bad things happen? Why did God even allow sin into this world?
-
The above questions have been asked by generations of people who have tried to figure out God and what He is doing. Of course we look forward to a heaven utopia with no problems or trials at all, but if we had been born into such a utopia, it would be much more difficult to really appreciate God. The fact that we have problems drives us to God for our comfort.
-
Psalm 107 is a great place to see this laid our before us. In the very first verse we are reminded that God’s mercy endures forever. Then it goes on to show us how God provided deliverance from trials. “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” (Psalms 107:6)
-
The Psalm also points out that many of the trials that were faced were because people rebelled against God (vs. 11-12) or acted in a foolish sinful manner (vs. 17), yet even when the problems were their own fault, God still helped them when they cried unto Him. “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.” (Psalms 107:13, see also vs. 18)
-
As we come to vs. 23 we are given the illustration of a storm at sea to show that as God sends the storm, He is able to get the attention of men so that they turn to Him. “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” (Psalms 107:23-30)
-
Throughout this Psalm we are shown God’s power and God’s mercy. As He shows His mercy and helps us, it should remind us to praise Him. Psalms 107:8 says, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” That same verse is repeated in verses 15, 21, and 31 as well. As trials come and God delivers, we should be reminded to praise Him.
-
As we come to the end of the Psalm, we see that some people suffer loss and others are helped. Today there are many who look at trials and realize that God is their only hope. There are others who become angry at God for causing or allowing the trials. The righteous however understand the goodness of God. Psalm 107 concludes with these words: “The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.” (Psalms 107:42-43)
-
Rather than getting mad at God, the righteous turn to Him, trusting His lovingkindness, as they understand that He loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. For those who still refuse to turn to God in a world filled with trials, I believe they would be even less likely to turn to Him in a utopia where they saw no need for His mercy.
-
The above questions have been asked by generations of people who have tried to figure out God and what He is doing. Of course we look forward to a heaven utopia with no problems or trials at all, but if we had been born into such a utopia, it would be much more difficult to really appreciate God. The fact that we have problems drives us to God for our comfort.
-
Psalm 107 is a great place to see this laid our before us. In the very first verse we are reminded that God’s mercy endures forever. Then it goes on to show us how God provided deliverance from trials. “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” (Psalms 107:6)
-
The Psalm also points out that many of the trials that were faced were because people rebelled against God (vs. 11-12) or acted in a foolish sinful manner (vs. 17), yet even when the problems were their own fault, God still helped them when they cried unto Him. “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.” (Psalms 107:13, see also vs. 18)
-
As we come to vs. 23 we are given the illustration of a storm at sea to show that as God sends the storm, He is able to get the attention of men so that they turn to Him. “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” (Psalms 107:23-30)
-
Throughout this Psalm we are shown God’s power and God’s mercy. As He shows His mercy and helps us, it should remind us to praise Him. Psalms 107:8 says, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” That same verse is repeated in verses 15, 21, and 31 as well. As trials come and God delivers, we should be reminded to praise Him.
-
As we come to the end of the Psalm, we see that some people suffer loss and others are helped. Today there are many who look at trials and realize that God is their only hope. There are others who become angry at God for causing or allowing the trials. The righteous however understand the goodness of God. Psalm 107 concludes with these words: “The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.” (Psalms 107:42-43)
-
Rather than getting mad at God, the righteous turn to Him, trusting His lovingkindness, as they understand that He loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. For those who still refuse to turn to God in a world filled with trials, I believe they would be even less likely to turn to Him in a utopia where they saw no need for His mercy.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Don’t Manipulate the Bible
Imagine that you walk into a French hospital and you see a man dressed in white and he says he has the cockroach. Your first thought may be that he is an exterminator, but then you are informed that when the French talk of having the cockroach, they mean they are depressed. With this added information, you then understand that this person is likely a patient rather than an exterminator.
-
It is amazing how a little additional information can change ones perspective. Often as I talk about the Bible, others will point out how there are so many different interpretations. I must agree that this is true. Since I preach through the Bible verse by verse there are occasions when I must admit that there are a number of views on a particular verse. Still, most of the Bible is quite straight forward. For example there is little room for variations of interpretation when declaring that lying, stealing and murder are sins.
-
But what do we do with the areas that we are not quite so sure about? Like the illustration about the French cockroach, we must strive for as much information as possible and grasp for the original meaning and intent of words that are used in scripture, realizing that they were not originally written in English. Further, we need to get as much information as possible from the text. In other words we should not just isolate a passage, but we should look both at the immediate context as well as the rest of scripture.
-
Imagine if you started to read the story of The Three Little Pigs but only read the first two thirds of it. You could easily come to the conclusion that any house that a pig built, a wolf could destroy. You would actually miss the whole moral of the story and end up replacing that moral with one that the story never intended. Sadly the same thing often happens with Biblical interpretation.
-
I recently listened to an online sermon and I was exposed to such careless interpretation. The pastor pointed out that each of the 5 times the word “breeches” was used in the Bible, that it referred to men wearing them. His conclusion, based upon that information, was that women should never wear pants because only men had worn breeches in those verses. What he neglected to point out is that each of those 5 verses also referred to the priests. Based on his logic, only priests should wear pants. Further, he also missed another important piece of information. Every time the word “skirt” is found (10 verses), it always refers to men. Based on that preachers logic, only men should wear skirts.
-
It has often been said that a person can make the Bible say anything they want it to say. The truth is, people try to convince others that the Bible is saying something different than what it says, but that does not change the actually text. The problem with some Biblical interpretation is that people try to manipulate the truth rather than just looking at what it says.
-
2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The person who missed the moral of the Three Little Pigs, and the pastor who drew an unreasonable conclusion from the word “breeches,” had reason to be ashamed. I fear that often such foolishness is not the result of ignorance, but rather of manipulation. That is why all Christians, not just pastors, need to study God’s Word. It really can be understood.
-
It is amazing how a little additional information can change ones perspective. Often as I talk about the Bible, others will point out how there are so many different interpretations. I must agree that this is true. Since I preach through the Bible verse by verse there are occasions when I must admit that there are a number of views on a particular verse. Still, most of the Bible is quite straight forward. For example there is little room for variations of interpretation when declaring that lying, stealing and murder are sins.
-
But what do we do with the areas that we are not quite so sure about? Like the illustration about the French cockroach, we must strive for as much information as possible and grasp for the original meaning and intent of words that are used in scripture, realizing that they were not originally written in English. Further, we need to get as much information as possible from the text. In other words we should not just isolate a passage, but we should look both at the immediate context as well as the rest of scripture.
-
Imagine if you started to read the story of The Three Little Pigs but only read the first two thirds of it. You could easily come to the conclusion that any house that a pig built, a wolf could destroy. You would actually miss the whole moral of the story and end up replacing that moral with one that the story never intended. Sadly the same thing often happens with Biblical interpretation.
-
I recently listened to an online sermon and I was exposed to such careless interpretation. The pastor pointed out that each of the 5 times the word “breeches” was used in the Bible, that it referred to men wearing them. His conclusion, based upon that information, was that women should never wear pants because only men had worn breeches in those verses. What he neglected to point out is that each of those 5 verses also referred to the priests. Based on his logic, only priests should wear pants. Further, he also missed another important piece of information. Every time the word “skirt” is found (10 verses), it always refers to men. Based on that preachers logic, only men should wear skirts.
-
It has often been said that a person can make the Bible say anything they want it to say. The truth is, people try to convince others that the Bible is saying something different than what it says, but that does not change the actually text. The problem with some Biblical interpretation is that people try to manipulate the truth rather than just looking at what it says.
-
2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The person who missed the moral of the Three Little Pigs, and the pastor who drew an unreasonable conclusion from the word “breeches,” had reason to be ashamed. I fear that often such foolishness is not the result of ignorance, but rather of manipulation. That is why all Christians, not just pastors, need to study God’s Word. It really can be understood.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Talking about God
Why am I here? What is life all about? For those who have trusted God and believe on Jesus Christ as their savior, there is a clear answer to that question. Isaiah 43:7 says, “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Revelation 4:11 states, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
-
All things are created for God’s pleasure and as Christians we are created to bring glory to God. One of the ways to bring glory to God is to tell others about Him. “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (Psalm 105:1-2)
-
Telling people about God involves making known His deeds and talking about His wondrous works. That means to tell people about the amazing things that God has done. As you do that, you get to fulfill your purpose in life as a Christian. You get to bring glory to God as you brag on Him.
-
As Christians, it is important that we tell people that Christ has come to save us from our sins, but many people are not interested in that message because they do not even understand who God is and how wonderful He is.
-
As humans it is only natural for us to want to bring others along to our way of thinking. For example farmers have debated with each other for almost 100 years about whether red or green tractors are better. Before that the debate was horses, vs. mules, vs. oxen. Today it is difficult to turn on the TV or radio without hearing a debate about who should be our next President. The point is, each side is trying to convince the other.
-
Often we take the same approach with Christianity and sometimes it works, but other times people just feel like they are being harassed. I grew up running green tractors and if someone came and told me how stupid I was not to have used a red tractor instead, I’d probably sink in my heals and defend John Deere. On the other hand, if a friend started to simply tell me how much he liked his Case/IH and how fun it was to drive and then offered to let me come and ride with him, I’d probably take him up on the offer.
-
I am not suggesting that we never enter a debate about the gospel, but there are times that it is obvious that those we are talking to are more interested in arguing than learning. With such people it may be more beneficial to simply talk about how wonderful God is and let them understand Him better before actually going on to the next step of showing them that Jesus came to die for their sins so that they could be reconciled to a wonderful God.
-
Finally we must understand that it is not our job to argue someone into heaven. It is our job to tell them the wonderful good news, but we cannot force them to believe it. Some have even gone so far as to continually harass others other until they got them to pray a prayer. That is not the gospel. That is worldly manipulation that any high pressure salesman or bully knows how to use, and just because a prayer is said doesn’t mean anyone changed their minds.
-
Instead of trying to manipulate others, open the pages of scripture and read about the wondrous things God has done so you have something to tell others about. Look back on you own life and remember what God has done for you. Then share what you know about God with others and tell them that He loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
-
All things are created for God’s pleasure and as Christians we are created to bring glory to God. One of the ways to bring glory to God is to tell others about Him. “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (Psalm 105:1-2)
-
Telling people about God involves making known His deeds and talking about His wondrous works. That means to tell people about the amazing things that God has done. As you do that, you get to fulfill your purpose in life as a Christian. You get to bring glory to God as you brag on Him.
-
As Christians, it is important that we tell people that Christ has come to save us from our sins, but many people are not interested in that message because they do not even understand who God is and how wonderful He is.
-
As humans it is only natural for us to want to bring others along to our way of thinking. For example farmers have debated with each other for almost 100 years about whether red or green tractors are better. Before that the debate was horses, vs. mules, vs. oxen. Today it is difficult to turn on the TV or radio without hearing a debate about who should be our next President. The point is, each side is trying to convince the other.
-
Often we take the same approach with Christianity and sometimes it works, but other times people just feel like they are being harassed. I grew up running green tractors and if someone came and told me how stupid I was not to have used a red tractor instead, I’d probably sink in my heals and defend John Deere. On the other hand, if a friend started to simply tell me how much he liked his Case/IH and how fun it was to drive and then offered to let me come and ride with him, I’d probably take him up on the offer.
-
I am not suggesting that we never enter a debate about the gospel, but there are times that it is obvious that those we are talking to are more interested in arguing than learning. With such people it may be more beneficial to simply talk about how wonderful God is and let them understand Him better before actually going on to the next step of showing them that Jesus came to die for their sins so that they could be reconciled to a wonderful God.
-
Finally we must understand that it is not our job to argue someone into heaven. It is our job to tell them the wonderful good news, but we cannot force them to believe it. Some have even gone so far as to continually harass others other until they got them to pray a prayer. That is not the gospel. That is worldly manipulation that any high pressure salesman or bully knows how to use, and just because a prayer is said doesn’t mean anyone changed their minds.
-
Instead of trying to manipulate others, open the pages of scripture and read about the wondrous things God has done so you have something to tell others about. Look back on you own life and remember what God has done for you. Then share what you know about God with others and tell them that He loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
Friday, July 27, 2012
When to be a Tattletale?
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.”
-
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)
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.”
-
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)
-
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 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.
-
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)
-
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)
-
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).
Friday, June 29, 2012
Loving Small Town Neighbors
I love living in a small town. Our boys just got a new sandbox and it seems like the whole town is celebrating with them. Before we even got the lumber to build it, we had told the boys what we were planning and they started to tell nearly everyone they saw that they were getting a sandbox.
-
It did not take long for word to spread about our boy’s excitement. Then when we finally got the lumber, numerous residents were able to pass by and see that we were starting some sort of project. Thus more people saw what was happening. Then as we were building it and filling it with sand others stopped by to share the joy our children were experiencing.
-
What really made the project special is that I had started to build the sandbox before ordering any sand and once it was built a local businessman heard about it and offered free sand that had come from a hole he had dug for another project. Furthermore, some friends not only delivered the sand, but they dumped it into the sandbox for us.
-
One of the complaints I have heard about small towns is the lack of privacy and that everyone knows your business. I’ve always lived in a rural area, so I’m used to it and not bothered by it. We must realize that there is a huge difference between malicious gossip and a caring community. The news about our sandbox was not gossip and it led to a great blessing for us.
-
I am so thankful to live in a caring community that knows about joyful events in our lives and is excited about celebrating those joys with us. I enjoy that the lady who was out for her walk saw the boys helping us carry boards for the sandbox and then cared enough to ask about it later. I enjoyed the excitement on her face as she realized how much fun the kids would have playing in the sand.
-
I have spoken to people who have moved from a rural area into a big city and they do not even know their next door neighbors. I would not want to trade the love and joy that comes from our neighbors being part of our lives for the lonely privacy of other areas. The first and greatest commandment is to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
-
As we show love for our neighbors and get involved in their lives, we must have the discernment to understand that there are certain things that we learn that should be kept private and there are other joys we should share. Our love for them should drive that discernment. For example there is a huge difference between sharing exciting news about a new sandbox verses sharing scandalous news about the fight you overheard your neighbors having.
-
If the news you are sharing about others is meant to wound them, that is gossip and is not showing love for them. Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
-
In small towns we are able to share a lot of news about each other and that is a good thing as long as it is not news that wounds. Rather than being discouraged that everyone knows your business, let us live in an upright manner so that it doesn’t matter that they know what we are doing, and then enjoy the love of community. At the same time realize that none of us are perfect, and be careful not to share private information that could hurt someone else.
-
It did not take long for word to spread about our boy’s excitement. Then when we finally got the lumber, numerous residents were able to pass by and see that we were starting some sort of project. Thus more people saw what was happening. Then as we were building it and filling it with sand others stopped by to share the joy our children were experiencing.
-
What really made the project special is that I had started to build the sandbox before ordering any sand and once it was built a local businessman heard about it and offered free sand that had come from a hole he had dug for another project. Furthermore, some friends not only delivered the sand, but they dumped it into the sandbox for us.
-
One of the complaints I have heard about small towns is the lack of privacy and that everyone knows your business. I’ve always lived in a rural area, so I’m used to it and not bothered by it. We must realize that there is a huge difference between malicious gossip and a caring community. The news about our sandbox was not gossip and it led to a great blessing for us.
-
I am so thankful to live in a caring community that knows about joyful events in our lives and is excited about celebrating those joys with us. I enjoy that the lady who was out for her walk saw the boys helping us carry boards for the sandbox and then cared enough to ask about it later. I enjoyed the excitement on her face as she realized how much fun the kids would have playing in the sand.
-
I have spoken to people who have moved from a rural area into a big city and they do not even know their next door neighbors. I would not want to trade the love and joy that comes from our neighbors being part of our lives for the lonely privacy of other areas. The first and greatest commandment is to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
-
As we show love for our neighbors and get involved in their lives, we must have the discernment to understand that there are certain things that we learn that should be kept private and there are other joys we should share. Our love for them should drive that discernment. For example there is a huge difference between sharing exciting news about a new sandbox verses sharing scandalous news about the fight you overheard your neighbors having.
-
If the news you are sharing about others is meant to wound them, that is gossip and is not showing love for them. Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
-
In small towns we are able to share a lot of news about each other and that is a good thing as long as it is not news that wounds. Rather than being discouraged that everyone knows your business, let us live in an upright manner so that it doesn’t matter that they know what we are doing, and then enjoy the love of community. At the same time realize that none of us are perfect, and be careful not to share private information that could hurt someone else.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
